LGBT residents of Jefferson and surrounding counties in Indiana will soon be able to find counseling programs tailored to their needs.
Extra Special Parents of Indiana, a comprehensive mental health provider, has become the first state-contracted agency to offer a program for youth and families in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
ESP has offices in Brookville, Scottsburg, Richmond and Madison. Overall, ESP covers 70 counties in the state. ESP offers mental health services, substance abuse treatment and foster parent support services.
Anthony Ooley, assistant vice president of clinical operations, said that the new initiative was developed when he and an ESP associate in Virginia realized the potential need for a specialized program.
“We went back and forth,” Ooley said, commenting on the decision of targeting a specific group of people – something that counseling services typically try to avoid.
However, he said that from time to time, LGBT clients may have become uncomfortable with their counselors who weren’t familiar with some of the issues specific to their experiences.
“Maybe counselors weren’t versed (in those issues),” he said.
ESP will now aim at providing “culturally-competent” services and staff will be trained to recognize issues facing LGBT people.
Ooley said studies have shown that mood disorders – including depression and anxiety – in the LGBT community are more prevalent than compared to the heterosexual population.
He also said that a higher prevalence of substance abuse exists, compounding the issues at hand.
In addition, those in rural communities have a harder time finding the services they might need, he said.
Ooley said that this new program is in the early stages of implementation, starting in the Brookville office with Madison as the next step.
Services at ESP are state-funded, therefore clients will have no out-of-pocket costs.
The program will “focus on providing counseling and support services to youth experiencing bullying, coming out concerns, or family struggles (for those) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning,” according to a release.
Though there will be a focus on youth, ESP will serve all ages.
Ooley said that counseling will be available for individuals, family groups, and closed and open groups. Open groups will allow participants to attend “as needed” or desired.
As services are expanded to all four ESP offices, anyone interested should contact the agency’s main office to help them more clearly identify the need in different areas, Ooley said