Seattle Counseling Service was founded in 1969 and is the first and oldest community mental health agency for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons in the United States.

The counseling service started as part of the Dorian Society in Seattle, later expanding to become an independent organization.   It began in a rented house, with a telephone and several volunteers, who were ready to answer the phone, talk with people who dropped by, and offer counsel and support.

SCS was licensed as a mental health center and has provided services to our community since 1974.   Among the programs pioneered by SCS, the Domestic Violence Program (started in 1982) provides intervention to persons who perpetrate violence in same-sex relationships.

In 1985, SCS received status as a United Way agency.   SCS was the first gay-specific agency to receive that status in King County.

SCS began providing services for people with HIV/AIDS concerns in 1985 by providing HIV Test Counseling at the Seattle Gay Clinic.   Long-term AIDS therapy and an AIDS drop-in group began in 1986, and the AIDS Crisis Intervention Program was initiated in 1989.   In 1996, SCS placed a therapist on site at Bailey-Boushay House.

In 1990, SCS became a sponsoring agency of Lambert House, a gay/lesbian/bisexual youth drop-in center.   We are still committed to GLBT youth and currently provide outreach and engagement services to queer and questioning homeless youth who congregate on Capitol Hill. SCS has worked actively with the Capitol Hill Human Services Roundtable on issues facing homeless youth and with the GLBT human service providers who serve youth in the neighborhood.

In 2003, SCS and King County Public Health created a collaboration to house Project NEON, a harm reduction program for users of crystal methamphetamine. 2003 also brought the advent of Seattle Counseling Service Chemical Dependency Services, assuming the role previously filled by Stonewall Recovery Services in King County.

In addition to its role in provision of direct services to sexual minority community members, SCS plays a significant regional role as a psychology and social work professional training site, serving as the practice training site for an average of 4 universities each year.   Since 1992, SCS has also provided training to mental health providers statewide to increase their capacity to appropriately serve sexual minorities in their home communities.

Collaboration is important to the staff and board of SCS.   We are continually seeking ways to provide a continuum of care for clients. SCS works with other King County Mental Health Providers to advocate on behalf of clients in the mental health system. SCS belongs to the Cross Cultural Alliance, the Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs and the LGBT Community Center.