My name is Pamuela Halliwell (she/her), Director of Behavioral Health Services at The Center, and I’m honored to announce an exciting update to help improve our services: we will soon be accepting select health insurance plans for Behavioral Health Services at The Center!

Mental health resources are vital within the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender and nonbinary people, can face unique barriers to mental health and well-being, including discrimination, family rejection, stigma, and difficulty accessing affirming care. These experiences can contribute to higher rates of mental health challenges and suicidality. Affirming relationships, supportive communities, and access to culturally responsive care can be powerful protective factors.

For many people, finding affirming care from providers who understand and may even share their lived experience can be a massive barrier to getting the support they deserve. That’s why BHS launched our Healing Happens Here campaign for San Diego Pride month. Healing happens here because BHS provides a safe, welcoming space where LGBTQ+ community members can find culturally competent support from people who truly understand them.

Now, as we expand our support groups and begin accepting insurance, we are opening our doors even wider to make sure healing can happen for more people in our community.

Expanding Access: Insurance Updates

Later this month, BHS will begin accepting select health insurance plans, removing financial barriers for those seeking counseling and behavioral health support, and making it easier for people to receive the care they deserve.

While many individuals have insurance, finding an LGBTQ-affirming counselor or a provider who can relate to their experience remains an obstacle. Our goal is to bridge that gap, ensuring our community can access specialized, culturally competent care.

Through our partnership with Headway, select Behavioral Health Services clinicians can now provide services using participating insurance plans. Currently contracted plans include:

• Aetna
• Cigna
• Anthem Blue Cross California
• Carelon Behavioral Health

Coverage is subject to individual eligibility and benefits verification. Additional insurance plans are in the credentialing process.

We will also continue providing services for people without insurance or with uncovered plans. This reflects our ongoing commitment to increasing access to compassionate, high-quality care so everyone in our community can find hope and healing.

For more information, please reach out directly to BHS by calling 619.692.2077 x208 or emailing counseling@thecentersd.org. Our intake coordinator will help navigate you through the many ways you can access Behavioral Health Services at The Center.

During Pride and Throughout the Year, Healing Happens Here

We launched our Healing Happens Here campaign during San Diego Pride season, and that was not a coincidence. Pride is a beautiful time for celebration, but it can also bring up mixed emotions. For folks who may face family rejection or are experiencing their first Pride without a loved one, it can feel lonely to see others around you celebrating. I want you to know that you’re not doing Pride wrong! Pride has space for the full diversity of emotions we experience, and there is also room for healing.

Healing can look like asking for help. It can look like getting rest, or even just getting through the day. At Behavioral Health Services at The Center, our team is here to provide affirming, compassionate mental health care for our community. BHS also offers affirming substance use support for community members exploring their relationship with alcohol or other substances. Stay tuned next week for more information about these services and the support available through our team.

No matter what kind of behavioral health support you need, BHS remains fully dedicated to walking alongside you by lowering financial barriers and creating new spaces for connection. We can’t wait to help our community find the support they need to thrive—because healing happens here.

In community,

Pamuela Halliwell (she/her)
Director of Behavioral Health Services

P.S. Join us for Rise Above the Stigma on September 18

In collaboration with NAMI San Diego, Jewish Family Service, and TransFamily Support Services, BHS at The Center is hosting Rise Above the Stigma, an evening of hope, healing, and community during National Suicide Prevention Month. Hear inspiring stories, explore community resources, and discover ways we can all help rise above the stigma. Light refreshments provided.

Attendees can choose from three breakout experiences:

• Heal: Support, reflection, and connection
• Learn: Suicide prevention education, mental health, and community resources
• Act: Youth empowerment, advocacy, engagement, and creating hope through action

When: September 18, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: 3909 Centre St, San Diego, CA

RSVP: bit.ly/rise-above-stigma