ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN FIND HIGHLIGHTED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AT UF
Workshops & Events
Visit our Workshops & Events page for the most up to date schedule, join our events and register for Workshops!
On Campus
- Pride Student Union – facebook.com/ufpsu
- UF LGBTQ+ Affairs – lgbtq.multicultural.ufl.edu
- UF Health Youth Gender Program – pediatrics.med.ufl.edu/patient-care/hospital-clinics/youth-gender-program
In Gainesville
- Pride Community Center – gainesvillepride.org
- PFLAG Gainesville – pflaggainesville.org
- TranQuility – fltranq.com/wp
More Resources
Follow the link below to view a pdf with links to specific LGBTQ+ resources including provider databases, social justice organizations, informational website, guides, crisis support, information for friends and family, and blogs.
TransCare Services at UF
Students who identify as transgender or may be exploring their gender identities are offered care that is confidential, compassionate, supportive, non-judgmental, ethical, and educational as they navigate the transition process.
The CWC has coordinated with the Student Health Care Center to develop a brochure outlining areas of care and service of interest to transgender students (or students who are interested in exploring their gender identities) at UF.
CWC and Transgender Guidelines
The CWC follows best practices for serving transgender students that are outlined by professional organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), American Counseling Association, and American Psychological Association. Our counselors are ready and excited to serve you as you explore your gender identity, or any other issues whether related or unrelated.
If you are interested in receiving a letter of support to begin hormone therapy or surgical procedures, we encourage you to discuss this with your counselor early on.
LGBTQ+ Groups
Here’s what students are saying about their experience in our LGBTQ+ therapy groups:
What aspects of the group experience were most helpful to you?
- “Being able to relate with other people who are in similar situations as me.”
- “Very friendly and confidential environment. I felt very comfortable expressing anything…”
What do you wish you had known about group before you joined?
- “I wish I had known how much I would enjoy it and how much it would help me, as I would have participated even earlier!”
What did you learn about yourself from your group experience?
- “I learned that I’m stronger than I previously believed.”
- “[Group] definitely helped me explore my personal identity and helped me in expressing myself/coming out to others outside of the group.”
- “…I learned to be more gentle with myself and appreciate each step of my journey.”
Are you…
- Exploring your sexuality and/or gender identity and have a lot of emotions that you want help working through?
- Self-medicating with substances or using another unhealthy behavior to cope with distressing thoughts about your sexuality and/or gender identity?
- Comfortable with your sexual orientation and/or gender identity, but have another significant concern (ex., I feel depressed because I had a death in the family, I experienced a recent sexual assault and I don’t feel safe, etc.)?
The CWC is a safe and affirming environment to discuss and address concerns related to how your sexual orientation and/or gender identity may impact family and friends, worldview (religion, spirituality, or other values), career and finances, or mental and physical health. We are also here to support you if you are dealing with the effects of systemic oppression and discrimination, violence, harassment, or bullying because of your sexual orientation or gender identity.
What to Expect
When we first meet with you, we will support you in connecting with appropriate and affirming resources, including:
- LGBTQ+ themed groups
- short-term counseling
- couples counseling
- various workshops
- referral to SHCC Psychiatry at CWC, SHCC, a community provider, or other campus resources