BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE

The Behavioral Health Care programs of Whitman-Walker Clinic promote the mental health of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and people living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones through a wide variety of both professional and peer based services.  Individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatric assessment and other psychosocial support are available through this service.  A full list of the Clinic's support and therapy groups is available. 

To learn more about our behavioral health care providers, please visit our providers directory.

Whitman-Walker Addiction Services (WWAS)
WWAS provides addiction treatment to people who are GLBT and people living with HIV/AIDS.  The program is staffed by addiction treatment professionals and specially trained volunteers who are geared toward helping gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants take pride in their sexual identity and their recovery from addiction. Group and individual counseling are available to help address the consequences of substance abuse while transistioning to a clean and sober lifestyle. Please see groups under "WWAS" on the Support and Therapy Group Roster for the variety of groups offered.  If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an intake, please call (202) 939-7690 or e-mail us at wwaswwc.org.

The Scott Harper House offers temporary sober housing to clients who are enrolled in the Intensive Outpatient Program. For more information about the Scott Harper House, contact Amy Bullock Smith at abullockwwc.org. To see the Scott Harper House wish list, click here.

Gay Men's Peer Counseling is provided by volunteers who are gay men who receive ongoing training and supervision in active listening, problem solving and various concerns facing gay and bisexual men.  Peer counseling and support is provided to individuals and couples who are dealing with relationships, jobs, health concerns, coming out or other challenges. For more information on Gay Men's Peer Counseling, call (202) 797-3592.

Gay Men's Peer Support Groups are also offered to bring together men with similar interests and concerns. Our current groups include:

• Coming Out
• Gay Men Over 50
• Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans
• Gay Men of Color

To join one of our support groups, please e-mail your name, the group you'd like to join, your phone number and your e-mail address to GMPSGwwc.org.

Lesbian Peer Counseling is provided to women who seek support on issues such as sexual orientation, family, relationships, workplace and self-esteem.  Individual sessions can be scheduled at our DC and Northern Virginia locations.  Attendees are asked for a donation of $10 per session, but these services are provided  to women regardless of their ability to pay. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, call (202) 797-3580 or contact us via email at lspwwc.org.

Support and Therapy Groups that address many concerns for which people who are GLBT and people living with HIV/AIDS may seek support are offered.  Groups included but are not limited to: Coming Out, Substance Abuse, Relationships and Intimacy, HIV/AIDS, Maybe Baby and Parenting for Lesbian Moms.  If you have questions, contact the group contact for the group in which you are interested.  Click here for the Roster of Support and Therapy Groups. 

The Bridge Back Program is an eight-bed, 90-day, coed residential addiction treatment program that serves residents of the District of Columbia. The program offers comprehensive addiction treatment services based on the needs of each client, as well as individual, group, and family therapy, case management services, psychiatric services, nutritional services, nursing services, recreational activities, and access to community support groups. Clients self-administer their own medications under staff supervision. HIV-positive clients may receive HIV care at Whitman-Walker Clinic or their Clinic used at admission.

A multi-disciplinary team is responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of each client’s treatment plan. This team is made up of a clinical program manager, psychotherapist, social worker, addiction counselors, a nurse, a consultant nutritionist, residential counselors and a consultant psychiatrist. Staff coverage is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Anyone 18 years of age or older, who meets the following criteria is eligible for admission to the Bridge Back Program. 1) Has a substance abuse disorder, 2) is a D.C. resident, 3) Is medically stable, 4) Is psychiatrically stable, and 5) Has a variety of psychosocial problems. HIV-positive clients may receive HIV care at Whitman-Walker Clinic or their clinic used at admission.

A Bridge Back Admission Referral form (PDF document) must be forwarded to the program social worker. The first section is to be filled out by the referral source. The second section must be filled out by the client’s primary care physician and must be accompanied by a copy of a complete physical (done within the past six months). Once the form has been reviewed, if the client is deemed appropriate for Bridge Back, the program social worker will schedule an interview with the potential client. After the interview has been compeleted, a team consisting of senior staff will review the referral and make a decision. If accepted, the client will be admitted according to bed availability and the waiting list.

For more information send an e-mail to bridgebackwwc.org.

The Crisis Intervention Line offers emergency, 24-hour, Crisis Intervention consultation by phone to individuals experiencing a mental health emergency and to their partners, family and friends.  Call (202) 797-4444, leave your name and a number where you can be reached, and a counselor will return your call promptly.

 Whitman-Walker also maintains a list of GLBT and HIV supportive therapists in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

For more information, e-mail us at counselingwwc.org.

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