SMYAL Mental Health Services

LGBTQ+ youth deserve mental health counseling that is affirming, empowering, and accessible.

Are you an LGBTQ+ youth looking for support on your mental health journey?

SMYAL’s free mental health counseling services are tailored to meet your unique needs and provide a safe and inclusive space for you to explore your emotions and experiences. We know that finding a therapist who understands you and your community can be frustrating, expensive, and nerve-wracking. At SMYAL, we’re working to remove these barriers.Our team of compassionate and understanding therapists are well-versed in the challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face, and we are here to help you navigate those challenges with confidence and resilience. Whether you’re struggling with self-acceptance, coming out, or dealing with discrimination, SMYAL is here for you.

Mental health services are open to queer and trans youth ages 6-24

 

If you are interested in getting connected to SMYAL’s mental health services, please fill out a referral form and email it to [email protected] or call 202-617-5645.

You can fill out the form yourself or have another healthcare provider refer you.

What Our Clients are Saying

Our Services

  • Queer and trans-focused mental health support
  • Cost-free counseling
  • Individual and group therapy for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-24
  • Play therapy for ages 6-12
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Bilingual support in English and Spanish

Current Group Offerings

Mosaic Parent and Caregiver Support Group
Wednesdays at 6 pm ET
Hosted Virtually

Mosaic is a support group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth. Facilitated by therapists at SMYAL, Mosaic sees the family as a large mosaic that is now more colorful than it might have been before.

This support group is for parents, caregivers, friends, and family of LGBTQIA+ individuals. We understand that having a safe place to explore your thoughts, get a better understanding, or just connect with others who may be going through similar transitions is important to have. Our goal is to provide that safe space for you weekly to safely navigate your thoughts and build your own community of support as it relates to your loved one who is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our Team

We understand the importance of creating an inclusive and affirming environment where you can freely discuss your experiences, emotions, and concerns. If you are interested in working with a particular therapist, please indicate this when you request an appointment.

Brittni Dash, MSW, LICSW

she/her
Director of Clinical Services

Brittni’s areas of work include providing therapy to individuals, groups, families, and couples who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, grief & loss, mental health, trauma/abuse, sexuality, and life transition challenges. Her experience also includes providing clinical supervision to individuals who are attempting to develop their clinical skill set in the social work field. 

 She prides herself on being the clinician that helps clients identify practical ways to enhance their quality of life based on their views. Brittni believes that real change happens when people are given the support they need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling and happy lives.

Matresa Flowers, LGSW, LMSW

she/her
Child and Adolescent Play Therapist

Mariana Velázquez

she/her

Bilingual Child and Adolescent Therapist

Nashae Woods

she/her
Child and Adolescent Therapist

Our Therapy Space

SMYAL’s mental health counseling center is housed in our main Capitol Hill youth center. We strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can come relax, take a breath, and unload the weight of your day.

Questions?

Check out our FAQs page or reach out to our mental health counseling team by emailing [email protected] or calling 202-617-5645.

Thank you to our partners at the Kiwanis Club of Washington, D.C. and CareFirst for providing critical funding to ensure the SMYAL Clinical Services Department remains cost-free for LGBTQ+ youth.

English