Gaylesta originated as a means for LGBTQ therapists in the San Francisco Bay Area to come together for mutual support by providing networking, consultation, and education on topics relevant to our community; as well as to serve as a referral source and social outlet. These continue to be significant benefits of membership today, as is the ability to market one’s practice online. Membership is now available to additional populations as well.
Students / interns
Pre-licensed therapists can join as basic or referral-level members. They are only allowed to participate in our online referral service if that is legal in the state in which they are currently studying or practicing. We have a mentorship program and educational events that these members often find very worthwhile in cultivating an LGBTQ-sensitive practice. Pre-licensed clinicians who join as referral members must indicate their supervisor’s name and license number on all marketing materials, including their Gaylesta Profile.
Remote Clinicians (outside the SF bay area)
Membership is available for clinicians outside of the San Francisco Bay area, including other states; basic membership provides participation in our various online forums, groups, and email listserv. Remote members can also participate in our Referral Service, which allows them to market their practice to LTGBTQ clients anywhere in the U.S. using our online therapist search capability.
Basic Membership
Benefits include the ability to attend social and educational events, as well as partiocipation in our online groups, forums, and email listserv. Basic members can also market their practices at our Outreach events. Basic membership is available to all licensed and pre-licensed psychotherapy clinicians.
Referral Membership
Benefits of a Referral Membership include all those of a Basic membership, plus the ability to market one’s practice online through the ‘Locate a Therapist’ search engine. Referral membership is available to all licensed and pre-licensed psychotherapy clinicians, in the SF Bay area or not.
The above membership options, depending on one’s licensure status, geographic location, and professional needs, combine into the following membership categories.
is available to individuals studying to become a licensed clinician, either actively enrolled in an educational program or registered as an intern (ACSW, MFTI, Psychology Intern, Counselor Intern) with the appropriate governing body. Pre-Licensed clinicians can join as Basic or Referral Members.
is available to individuals who have been granted a license to provide psychotherapy (LCSW, LMFT, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, LPC, etc) by an appropriate governing body. Licensed clinicians (remote or otherwise) may join either as Basic Members or Referral Members.
is available to clinicians who practice outside the SF Bay area. These individuals do not routinely have the option of participating in our various social and educational events, though they may wish to organize such events with other members in their geographic area; thus remote memberships are priced lower than our standard memberships.
is available to non-profit clinics or organizations that provide low-fee mental health services to individuals and families and who have an LGBT-affirmative perspective. Such organizations may not use this site to promote the private practice(s) of any staff member(s). They are included in the search results of our ‘Locate a Therapist’ search engine when potential clients come to our site to find an LGBTQ-friendly and culturally competent psychotherapist. In recognition of the services they provide to the community, organizational memberships are priced lower than individual memberships.
can participate in all on-line activities (forums, groups, email lists, etc), and in numerous social and educational events throughout the year. Groups can be formed within Gaylesta for any sup-population by geographic area or interest, which can be used be members to organize their own local gatherings as well.
have all the benefits of Basic members, plus they are included in the search results of our ‘Locate a Therapist’ search engine when potential clients come to our site to find an LGBTQ-friendly and culturally competent psychotherapist. Pre-licensed clinicians who join as referral members must indicate their supervisor’s name and license number on all marketing materials, including their Gaylesta Profile.
| Membership Type | Annual Fee |
| Pre-Licensed Basic Membership | $35 |
| Pre-Licensed Referral Membership | $200 |
| Licensed Basic Membership | $85 |
| Licensed Referral Membership | $250 |
| Licensed Remote Basic Membership | $35 |
| Licensed Remote Referral Membership | $200 |
| Organizational | $100 |