“You Gotta Give them hope…..” – Harvey Milk

LGBTQ Specialization

Stonewall Institute is an innovative provider of mental health and addiction treatment services for Maricopa County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) population. Our non-judgmental and affirmative clinical approach considers the interplay of psychological, sociological, and familial factors that can impact LGBTQ individuals and families. The Stonewall Model™ described below, is the foundation we work from in order to build upon client strengths and assist clients in working through both internal and external challenges related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  

The Stonewall Model™

The Stonewall Model™ affirms the following principles when working with people who identify as LGBTQ:

1) There is nothing inherently wrong with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning individuals

2) LGBTQ relationships are of equal value to heterosexual relationships

3) There are common stages an LGBTQ person goes through when coming to terms with sexual orientation or gender identity which often involves the negotiation of one’s relationship to self, family, and society at large

4) LGBTQ individuals are worthy of having, or reclaiming, a spiritual way of living that embraces who they are and who they were born into this world to be

5) Positive community support can be an important factor in helping LGBTQ individuals to reduce feelings of isolation and to grow toward a positive self-image and self-acceptance