So how did New Leaf come to be?

New Leaf came about as the result of the merger of two organizations with a history of more than 30 years serving the LGBTQQ community.  Operation Concern, which provided mental health services to the LGBT community, and 18th Street Services, which was a substance abuse program specifically for gay and bisexual men merged more than 10 years ago to become New Leaf: Services for Our Community.  Gay and Lesbian Outreach to Elders also became part of the New Leaf organization and became what is today known as New Leaf Outreach to Elders. 

Have you always been at the current location?

No. We have been at a few different locations and for a time were providing services out of 3 or 4 different locations.  In March 2005 we all moved into a single location at Fox Plaza and provide all of our in-house clinical services at 103 Hayes (at Market).   

How's the new facility?

It's great.  We have a lot of room to do both group work and individual work in comfortable meeting spaces.  It's a space that's very welcoming and LGBT-affirming.  It is centrally located and easily accessible by MUNI metro, BART, multiple bus lines, the F line.  

What kinds of services do you provide?

We provide integrated Substance Abuse and Mental Health services where we work with each client to determine what their individual needs and desires are in terms of both substance use issues/concerns as well as any mental health issues they may be experiencing.  We tailor a program for each individual whether they are interested in being abstinent from all substances, being abstinent from crystal but not other substances, or whether they just want to find strategies that help manage their use in order to do less harm to themselves. 

The program itself consists of both individual and group counseling.  Typically clients are enrolled for 9-12 months and they attend group or individual sessions 3 times a week.  The individual sessions are all done by licensed or license-eligible psychologists, marriage and family therapists and clinical social workers.  We also have psychiatry services available for those who may benefit from medications.

We have a wide array of groups and workshops for clients to choose from including ongoing support groups, an art group, meditation groups, harm reduction groups, abstinence groups, meth-specific abstinence groups, a women's relationship group, HIV + groups.  Workshops have included topics covering Sex and Drugs; Body Image;  Spirituality; Finding Your Community and others.  At least 2 groups/workshops a week are required, but guys can utilize more than 2 if space is available.

The agency also has an HIV Mental Health program and a Mental Health program.  So we also have some specialized services for people who may be seeking treatment for mental health or HIV mental health concerns. 

What is the process to get into your services?

There is a drop-in orientation for clients interested in the substance use program 2 times a week:  Mondays at 5 PM and Thursdays at 6 PM.  Anybody interested in learning about the program is encouraged to attend one of those sessions.  It's drop-in so they don't need to call or make an appointment -- just be on time -- nobody is admitted after the group starts.  It is open to people of all genders and to those seeking harm reduction or abstinence-based services.  This orientation is required to access our services.  We want to make sure this program is the right choice for you, so by going to the drop in orientation, you get to learn about the program and what our expectations are of you and can see if it is a good fit for you.  You make the decision about whether you are ready to enter this program. 

Once you've attended the orientation and decided that you would like to get enrolled, you will be scheduled for an individual intake.  Following the intake you'll be assigned to an individual therapist and other groups.

This orientation is only for clients seeking substance abuse treatment.  Anyone wanting just Mental Health or HIV Mental Health services should call 626-7000 and ask for the intake office.

What would you say clients particularly like about New Leaf's services?

We just did a focus group and here is what they said:  New Leaf understands the LGBT community.  The guys in the group also said they came to New Leaf for these other reasons: reputation, quality of the counselors, having both abstinence and harm reduction tracks, our ability to go where the client is, being client-centered, and because we are interested in the progressive growth of the person. 

Is there anything in particular you want people to know about New Leaf?

For 30 years we have been providing LGBTQQ affirming services and have the experience to address many of the issues each person brings to treatment.  We also have a new program starting up in the next month.
 
We are starting an LGBTQQ youth substance abuse program for 14-24 year olds.  In addition to services that will be held at New Leaf we are planning to provide services at a variety of sites in the community including: the public school system, at Eureka Valley Rec. Center, the LGBT Center, LYRIC and at various other organizations that provide services specifically to LGBTQQ youth.  Those services will be provided to youth who are at risk for substance abuse and/or who want support in addressing the potential impact of substance use on their lives.  We are currently recruiting youth for an advisory board.  If interested in the board or these youth services, you can call 626-7000. 

Check us out on the web at www.newleafservices.org.

Thanks a lot for you time, Steve, thanks for all your efforts at New Leaf.