About Us

Our clinic is staffed by couple and family therapy and counseling psychology doctoral students. Each student completes training on providing services to LGBTQ individuals, including conducting assessments, writing letters of support, and providing ongoing individual, couple, and family therapy. Each student is supervised by a licensed marriage and family therapist, and all letters of support are approved by the clinical director.

We are developing a new partnership with the UIHC LGBTQ Clinic, where counseling services and support are moving. Visit the UIHC LGBTQ Clinic website where information will be posted soon on setting up an appointment in 2023, for more integrated care, including counseling services.

What We Do

Assessments

In order to begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or have gender affirming surgery (GAS), WPATH recommends individuals meet with a mental healthcare provider prior beginning treatment. In our clinic we conduct psychosocial assessments and provide letters of support. The psychosocial assessment usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. During the assessment, you and your therapist will discuss supports and barriers you may have after starting treatment or having surgery. We provide assessments to anyone seeking HRT or GAS free of charge. To schedule an appointment, email the clinical coordinator at LGBTQ-Clinic@uiowa.edu

Therapy

We provide ongoing individual, couple, and family therapy to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ, their families, and the community at large. Ongoing therapy is provided free of charge. Therapy appointments typically last 45 to 60 minutes, and can be scheduled, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. People come to therapy for many different reasons including issues with depression or anxiety, relationships stress/conflict, and navigating heteronormativity/homophobia/transphobia. To schedule an appointment, email the clinical coordinator at LGBTQ-Clinic@uiowa.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I get an appointment scheduled?
The clinical coordinator will respond to your email within 72 hours. We are typically able to get a psychosocial assessment or on going therapy appointment scheduled within 2 weeks of initial contact with the clinic.

How long do appointments last?
Psychosocial assessment typically last between 60 and 90 minutes. Ongoing therapy appointments typically last between 45 and 60 mins.

I’ve already had my psychosocial assessment, how long until my letter is complete?
You can expect you letter to be complete within 2 to 3 weeks after your appointment.

I’ve started hormone therapy, do I need another letter if I want to have surgery?
Typically, yes. Letters of support are only good for 3 months. If your surgery is scheduled more than 90 days after your original letter, you may need to come in and get an additional letter.

Will I get to start HRT or get my surgery scheduled at my psychosocial assessment?
We are a counseling clinic only. We do not provide medications or schedule surgery. This is done through are partner clinic, the University of Iowa LGBTQ Clinic, or another health care provider.

PFLAG--Cedar Rapids

PFLAG support is geared towards individuals, family, friends and allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender and questioning people.  They meet at 2nd Thursday at 7pm.
Address:  Grant Wood AEA; 4401 6th St SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
pflaglcb@gmail.com

Trans*Verse

TransVerse is a support group for trans people and their allies. They work to extend across feelings of isolation and confusion to the connections that can grow through community. TransVerse meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6-8pm of each month at the Women's Resource & Action Center at the University of Iowa. It is open to all campus and community members (you do not need to be a staff or student to attend). Trans folks as well as significant others, family, friends and allies (SOFFAS) are welcome. The 3rd Wednesday of the month meetings are for people who identify as trans*, non-binary or are questioning their gender.

Contact Information
319-335-1486
130 N. Madison St, Iowa City, IA
TransVerseIC@gmail.com
Facebook page.

Transformations--Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Urbandale

Transformations  support is geared towards individuals, family, friends and allies of transgender individuals.  Transformations discusses everything from individual member's personal troubles and the obstacles facing the transgender community as a whole, to the latest movies and TV shows. Meetings typically last about 2 hours and you're always welcome to drop by whenever you can and for however long you can. Feel free to bring friends, family, or whatever allies you have to the meetings. Come dressed in your preferred clothes! Transformations also helps educates the general public about transgender issues and the challenges transgender individuals face in today's societies, as well as just what it is like to be transgender with panel discussions.

Meetings:
Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant St. Des Moines, IA, 7-9pm Every Wednesday
Urbandale UCC, 3530 70th St. Urbandale, IA 1-4pm 2nd Saturday
Grant Wood AEA, 4401 6th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 5:30pm 2nd and 4th Thursday
sophia.transformations@gmail.com

Emma Goldman Clinic

The Emma Goldman Clinic is a not-for-profit independent organization founded in 1973 by a group of women driven by feminist ideals.  We exist to empower women and men in all life stages through the provision of quality reproductive health care that includes abortion services, gynecology services, safer sex promotion, and active education. We promote respectful, client-centered and participatory health care through informed decision making, client rights, advocacy and expansion, and support of pregnancy choices. We offer non-judgmental, quality health care services. Our goals are inspired by our belief in the larger ideals of feminist philosophy: political, economic, and social equality.

227 N Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52245
(800) 848-7684
info@emmagoldman.com

24-Hour Crisis Line- The Crisis Center of Johnson County

When you call The Crisis Center, expect to talk confidentially to a skilled volunteer who will listen with compassion, respond without judgment and treat you with respect. Our volunteers complete a minimum of 62 hours of training to provide support and comfort for clients in times of crisis. They know how to work collaboratively with you to brainstorm potential options and generate an action plan if you think it could be helpful. 

  • Walk-in peer counseling from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at The Crisis Center
  • Referrals to local, state and national resources
  • Suicide prevention, intervention and postvention
  • Mobile Crisis Outreach in Johnson and Iowa Counties
  • Online emotional support through Crisis Chat

CRISIS LINE: 1-855-325-4296
1121 S. Gilbert Court Iowa City, IA 52240

Supervisors

Contact

Please email lgbtq-clinic@uiowa.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Maps and directions: Uiowa map/directions. Google map.