The Diversity Center inspires and advocates for the LGBTQ+ people of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties by providing critical services, spaces, education, and events that enhance our community’s well-being, allowing individuals to build resiliency and thrive.
Our Mental Health Trainee Program is transforming mental health care for LGBTQ+ people in Santa Cruz County. In 2025 alone, our team provided over 700 free counseling sessions to LGBTQ+ community members seeking support.
Launched in 2023, this innovative initiative partners with regional universities to recruit and train license-eligible Mental Health Trainees, equipping them with the skills to become identity-affirming counselors specializing in LGBTQ+ care. Across the nation, LGBTQ+ people face escalating mental health challenges driven by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, policy rollbacks, and rising social marginalization. Locally, the demand for The Diversity Center’s services continues to grow.
Our Mental Health Trainee Program trains affirming clinicians while expanding free, community-based care, meeting urgent needs today and building a stronger, more resilient future for LGBTQ+ individuals.
As a Mental Health Trainee I supported LGBTQ+ individuals carrying the weight of grief, trauma and identity in a world that denies them safety and affirmation. I witnessed resilience and transformation that showed how inclusive care can change lives.
Amanda, Santa Cruz
