My name is Pamuela Halliwell (she/her), Director of Behavioral Health Services at The Center, and I’m excited to share that we are now enrolling eligible individuals and families impacted by HIV in LGBTQ-affirming, trauma-informed behavioral health services for individuals and families impacted by HIV, made possible through funding from the County of San Diego’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) program.
Mental health and emotional well-being are essential to living healthy, fulfilling lives. Yet LGBTQ+ people can face unique barriers to care, including discrimination, stigma, and difficulty finding providers who understand their experiences. For people and families impacted by HIV, these challenges can intersect with additional stressors related to health, relationships, and housing stability.
At Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at The Center, we believe everyone deserves compassionate care in a space where they feel safe, understood, and affirmed. Through our LGBTQ-affirming services, we work to connect more LGBTQ+ community members with the support they need to find hope and wellness—because healing happens here.
New HOPWA-Funded Services
Through HOPWA funding from the County of San Diego, we’re expanding our ability to support individuals and families impacted by HIV. Supportive services like behavioral health care can play an important role in promoting overall wellness and helping people maintain stable housing, critical factors in ensuring that people living with HIV have access to treatment.
Depending on individual needs and eligibility, services through BHS at The Center may include:
- Individual counseling
- Substance use support
- Treatment planning and referrals
- Care navigation and other behavioral health support
You don’t have to navigate the process alone. If you or someone you know may qualify, we encourage you to reach out. Our BHS intake coordinator can help determine eligibility and explore available services.
More Ways to Access Care at The Center
BHS has recently begun to accept participating health insurance plans through our partnership with Headway, including Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross California, and Carelon Behavioral Health. Coverage is subject to eligibility and benefits verification.
We remain committed to serving community members without insurance or whose plans are not covered, with fees available on a sliding scale. Eligible individuals may also qualify for no-cost counseling.
To learn more about HOPWA-funded services, discuss eligibility, or make a referral, contact our Intake Coordinator at 619-692-2077 ext. 208 or via email at counseling@thecentersd.org. You can also learn more about Behavioral Health Services at The Center on our website.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or helping someone else find care, we’re here to help. Together, we can make affirming behavioral health services more accessible to the people who need them most, including those impacted by HIV.
In community,
Pamuela Halliwell (she/her)
Director of Behavioral Health Services