IYG Counseling Program
IYG Counseling Program provides free short-term and long-term individual counseling and clinician-led support groups to queer youth and young adults, as well as their allies in the state of Indiana. Counseling services can be provided in person at an IYG campus or via telehealth.
Get Connected
Mission Statement
The IYG Counseling Program aims to reduce barriers to accessing quality queer-affirming mental health services, supports the mental health needs of program participants, provides all services free of cost, and offers a variety of counseling modalities.
Values
-
Non-Punitive Practice
IYG Counseling Program views counseling services as strictly voluntary, and program staff do not use counseling services to shame, inflict punishment, or exert power over program participants.
-
Trauma-Informed Care
IYG Counseling Program staff counselors operate from the assumption that many of our clients have experienced trauma, and any trauma-related responses make evident each participant’s willingness to manage their individual circumstances. The IYG Counseling Program aims to foster an environment of safety, support, and catharsis for survivors of trauma.
-
Strengths-Based Perspectives
IYG Counseling Program staff understand that each program participant possesses a unique set of skills and strengths that can be used to guide treatment, find healing, and create lasting change. Staff counselors draw upon these skills to help clients achieve their treatment goals.
-
Client-Centered Treatment
IYG Counseling Program intentionally centers the autonomy, dignity, and individuality of each program participant. Staff counselors utilize the core principles of client-centered treatment, including active listening; empathy; gentleness; non-judgement; genuineness; and unconditional positive regard. Staff counselors respect that each participant is the expert on their experiences and work collaboratively to personalize treatment plans.
-
Harm Reduction Practices
IYG Counseling Program aims to lessen negative physical, mental, and emotional impacts of various human behaviors by providing appropriate psychoeducation, collaboratively working with program participants to manage risk, and referring participants to appropriate internal and external services.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for therapy services through the IYG Counseling Program, a potential client must be age 12-24 (unless they are currently receiving extended services through Project Prism) and must have completed an intake assessment with the young adult or youth center teams. Clients do not need to identify with any specific biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. to engage in IYG’s counseling services.
Getting Connected
If you are interested in participating in the IYG Counseling Program, fill out our interest form, found here: https://forms.office.com/r/LzcqCpsHrp. Please allow 1-2 weeks for an IYG counselor to follow up with you, after completing this form.
Emergency Services
IYG Counseling Program does not provide crisis intervention services. Please contact the following services for support during a mental health crisis
