LGBTQ+ Community : Wisteria Program

The Wisteria Program is an inpatient psychiatric program (22-bed) for members of the LGBTQ community. Wisteria is a safe and affirming program designed to treat LGBTQ patients struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other unhealthy behaviors. The Wisteria Program uses evidence-based treatment modalities for adults within this community who are struggling with mental health concerns such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and other specific stressors. Treatment can consist of exploration of gender identity, gender dysphoria, and social transition. We also focus on discrimination, victimization, and lack of affirming and supportive environments. Some patients may also experience a co-occurring substance abuse diagnosis.

Today, young people face many challenges and stressors on their journey that can lead to serious mental health difficulties. Struggling with one’s identity can be an especially difficult challenge. We all want to be seen and accepted as our authentic selves. One such challenge is living as a gender or sexual minority and expressing this identity while facing all the general difficulties of a young person.

Individuals in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (LGBTQ) community often face a number of unjust issues: social stigma, abuse, harassment, and unfortunately, family rejection. The weight of rejection and social stigma combined with the increased risk of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and physical abuse impacts people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex or asexual (LGBTQIA+). This community is also at an increased risk of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Research reports that members of this community are three times more likely to suffer from behavioral and mental health issues. But there is hope.

The Wisteria Program addresses psychological and emotional distress by examining how identifying as non-binary, trans, or queer can impact one’s health and wellbeing in a society which is not accepting of these gender differences. Our clinical programming helps to target psychological stress by using a multidisciplinary team, which consists of psychiatrists, social workers, clinicians, and nurses who are trained in providing affirming and culturally responsive mental health services. We provide affirming, evidence-based treatments for LGBTQ individuals, including individual, family and group psychotherapy. We will meet you as you are, where you are, for WHO you are.