Well-Being Institute

The Community Center’s Well-Being Institute (WBI) is dedicated to providing comprehensive, holistic wellness programming that affirms and uplifts all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Community Center is committed to reducing the stigma associated with mental health care and providing mental and behavioral health support to community members and their families. Through our Well-Being Institute (WBI), we are committed to doing this with minimal barriers to accessing support. 

WBI programs include culturally-responsive, short-term individual and group counseling along with a wide range of educational and wellness services to support individuals and families in living healthy and self-aware lives. Counseling services are offered at no cost. We do not require or accept insurance. For those who choose to support our services, we do gladly accept donations.

You can scroll down to learn more about our health and wellness offerings. 

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING

Our counselors offer LGBTQ+-affirming counseling for individuals and family members ages 13 and up. We meet and support you wherever you are along your healing journey. At the WBI we offer flexibility in scheduling, including weeknights and weekends. Confidential counseling is provided in-person at the Community Center or remotely via a secure online portal. Support is provided for a range of issues without judgement, including: 

  • Sexual orientation 

  • Gender identity/expression 

  • Coming out

  • Relationship and couple issues

  • Family and parenting issues

  • Healing from trauma and abuse

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Addictions and recovery

  • Living with HIV and other chronic illness

Short-term counseling focused on support, encouragement, suggestions and offering information, education or community referrals to skilled providers. If a longer-term resource is needed, or if you require a diagnosis or treatment of a mental, emotional, nervous or behavioral disorder outside our scope of care, we will work with you to facilitate a referral to a more appropriate provider who can best serve you and your needs. 

Alternatively, you may wish to go directly to a LGBTQ+ friendly mental health professional in your area, or a private provider who is available virtually. Our WBI team can also assist with these community-based referrals.  

If you are interested in receiving counseling from the Community Center or if you would like a referral to an alternative mental health provider, please click below to complete a short inquiry form. When completed, the form will be forwarded to Johnathan Hornig LCSW, Director of Well-Being. We generally respond within 48 hours.

INTERNS AND CONTRACT COUNSELORS SOUGHT

The Community Center seeks individual interested in working with our Well-Being Institute (WBI) to provide direct individual short-term and group counseling to LGBTQ+ individuals with a particular focus on youth, older adults, people of color and those of transgender/GNC experience. Working under the supervision of the Director of Well-Being, individuals will provide counseling as independent contractors or interns and may also collaborate on the planning and implementation of other wellness programming. Counseling provided in-person at the Community Center. May also provide counseling virtually once acclimated to the WBI.

Individuals needing hours and/or working toward their LCSW are welcome. Experience working with LGBTQ+ strongly preferred. For contracted counselors, a competitive hourly contract rate offered.

Interested individuals should send CV or resume will cover email to Johnathan Hornig, Director of Well-Being at johnathan@lgbtqcenter.org.

If you are in crisis or need to speak with someone immediately during hours when the Community Center is not open, visit our Hotlines page for a list of LGBTQ+ affirming hotlines.

STD, HIV AND HEPATITIS-C TESTING

Through a partnership with Cornerstone Family Healthcare, individuals can access free STD, HIV and Hepatitis-C testing at the Community Center. Testing is offered on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 2:00 to 6:00pm. Click below to make an appointment and select “Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center” as the site you at which you want to be tested.

LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

Through a partnership with Acupuncture Broadway, the Community Center provides a weekly Community Acupuncture Clinic on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30pm. Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese Medicine and a complimentary medical practice where different parts of the body are stimulated (primarily with thin needles) to treat symptoms of pain, stress and a variety of other health conditions.

The LGBTQ Community Acupuncture Clinic takes place in a relaxed group setting using points on the ears, hands, and feet. Intake takes approximately ten minutes and resting time (after the needles are inserted) will vary, based on your preference, but is typically 20 to 45 minutes.

Acupuncture is offered by appointment. A donation of $10 per session is requested when checking in. Cash, check, credit card of Venmo is accepted. While no one is turned away due to lack of funds, donations do help defray the cost of providing this service to the community.

Demand for the clinic is high, please make sure to PLACE YOURSELF ON THE WAITLIST and feel free to contact Dr. von Miller if you are having difficulty booking an appointment.

The LGBTQ+ Community Acupuncture Clinic is provided by Dr. Lyndsay von Miller, DACM, L.Ac. (Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Board Certified Herbalist). More information on Dr. von Miller can be found at Acupuncture Broadway.

OTHER HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SERVICES

In addition to the services listed above, the Community Center regularly offers special health and wellness programs. Information about upcoming events and programs can be found on our calendar.