Healthcare Resources
Sliding Scale Clinics
Callen-Lorde: Oldest sliding scale clinic for LGBTQ people in NYC, with locations in Chelsea, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
APICHA Community Health Center: Located in Chinatown, originally geared towards API individuals, has had a long-term program for gender affirmative care and HRT.
Planned Parenthood: Queer and trans people are employed here! In addition to sexual health services including pregnancy prevention, abortion, STI testing and management, PP NYC locations also prescribe hormone replacement therapy. Might be worth calling ahead to see if the location nearest you has clinicians who are already doing that on staff just in case.
Center for Special Studies at Weill Cornell: Clinic for poz (HIV+) communities that serves low income patients, and has a really incredible nonbinary trans nurse practitioner on staff.
Directories
Callen-Lorde TransAtlas: Search by neighborhood, service type, and community (immigrants/migrants, youth, elders, POC, housing insecure, formerly incarcerated persons, people with disabilities). Does not filter by insurance network.
Manhattan Alternative Collective In-Network with Aetna
The list of clinicians below was sourced from the Manhattan Alternative collective. They are experienced living or working with clients in LGBTQ communities and accept Aetna health insurance. It is always worth double checking if providers in network with Aetna accept Columbia’s particular student health plan. The language describing each clinician is in accordance with how they describe themselves and their practice on Manhattan Alternative’s website.
There are more out of network clinicians on their website who are experienced working with LGBTQ clients and may offer sliding scale services. GWC HCWG members have not personally worked with these clinicians, and whether or not they are a good fit is up to you. You can learn more about the clinicians listed below by clicking through to Manhattan Alternative’s website.
Anisah Miley, LCSW Queer affirming, sex-positive, anti-racist psychotherapist for individuals, couples and families. Experienced working with transgender people, people of color, immigrants, and youth.
Kimia Sharifi, LCSW Poly-affirming and kink-aware psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and people in multiple partner relationships struggling with a wide range of emotional and interpersonal problems.
Lourdes Dolores Follins, PhD, LCSW-R Same gender loving, LGBTQ, gender non conforming, kink affirmative psychotherapist and author. Black queer woman with over 20 years of experience working with marginalized people, long-time supporter of kink and poly communities.
Terry LaFrazia, LCSW Specializing in integrative psychotherapy, EMDR, attachment theory, and somatically-oriented mindfulness into a trauma informed clinical practice.
Jackson Sky, LMSW Queer trans person of color, psychodynamic practice centered on trauma-informed practices and attachment theory to address depression, anxiety, trauma, out of control sexual behaviors/sex addiction, gender and sexuality issues.
Aaron Skinner-Spain, LCSW Integrative, collaborative approach informed by depth psychology. Gente, empathic, and non-judgmental practice.
Rafael Martinez, LCSW Psychotherapist who centers queer and trans people of color. Practices through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lens. Also trained in EMDR.
Brandon Weasenforth, LMSW He/they. Practice focused on strength of the therapeutic relationship through affirmation, collaboration, and trust.
Rachel Harlich, LMSW Queer trauma therapist practicing emotion-focused, body-based, mindfulness-informed modalities as well as traditional methods like psychodynamic and CBT.
Helplines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people.
TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386
Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.
NYC Well: CALL 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or TEXT “Well” to 65173
Trouble coping? We’re here to listen and help with problems like stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol use. For you or someone you care for.
Resources for Substance Abuse
Find local support and treatment options in New York City, New York
Hear stories from youth and young adults
Learn about recognizing and dealing with substance misuse
Columbia Health Care FAQs
How can I be tested for COVID? Will the test cost me anything?
On campus: All Columbia faculty, staff, and students are required to have initial COVID-19 gateway testing prior to return to campus. Tests must be done in the University surveillance program managed by Columbia Health. Ongoing surveillance testing will also be provided where you can be tested once a week. The tests are no cost to you. (Barnard students tested separately)
Greater NYC: All Columbia faculty, staff, and students are required to have initial COVID-19 gateway testing prior to return to campus. Tests must be done in the University surveillance program managed by Columbia Health. Tests performed at any other location will NOT fulfill the campus testing requirement. The tests are no cost to you.
Columbia has created a resource guide for the community and can be accessed here.
Can my child/partner get tested for COVID on campus?
Columbia is only testing affiliates on campus. Unfortunately, that means they will not provide testing for dependents even if they live in Columbia housing.
How will I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
Columbia does not have the vaccine and is working closely with NewYork-Presbyterian. You can see if you are eligible to receive the vaccine and schedule an appointment at: vaccinetogetherny.org. It is estimated that the general population will begin receiving the vaccine in approximately May or June 2021.
I have children and/or dependents, how will they get their COVID-19 vaccine?
Children under 16 years old are not eligible to receive the vaccine at this time. Columbia does not have the vaccine and is working closely with NewYork-Presbyterian. You can see if your dependents are eligible to receive the vaccine and schedule an appointment at: vaccinetogetherny.org. It is estimated that the general population will begin receiving the vaccine in approximately May or June 2021.
I have an urgent health need but not an emergency (e.g., an infection). Where should I go and are there any costs or bureaucratic steps to take?
On campus: If you can get to student health but there are no appointments available online, call 212-854-7426 24/7 for help. If you’re not sure whether to come in or not, ask to speak to a nurse and they can give advice or schedule a telehealth visit online (free). If you go to an Urgent Care clinic, you will be charged $60 if it’s in network, possibly more if it’s out of network. See below for how to find in-network care.
Greater NYC: If you can get to student health but there are no appointments available online when you can go, call 212-854-7426 24/7 for help. If you’re not sure whether to come in or not, ask to speak to a nurse and they can give advice.
How do I find an urgent health care center or other provider that is covered by our insurance?
On campus:
Go to aetnastudenthealth.com
Select Columbia as your school.
Click “find a doctor, hospital or pharmacy.”
Click “find a network provider.”
Either sign in or continue as a guest to search for providers by location.
Greater NYC: You should be able to go to any Urgent Care provider that takes any insurance and not be billed more than $60. If you are charged more, you should contact
I have an urgent mental health need. What should I do to get care?
On campus: Call 212-854-7426 24/7 to be put in contact with a mental health practitioner on call.
I need to see a specialist (e.g., dermatologist). Do I need a referral? How do I get one?
On campus & Greater NYC: Yes. You can contact Columbia Health through the web portal and either schedule a tele-health appointment or send a message to your primary care doctor about getting a referral. If you go without a referral, you may end up getting charged a lot even if the provider is in network.
Still in the U.S., but not NYC: If you are more than 50 miles away from Columbia, you do not need a referral. However, you will only be covered if your doctor is in the Aetna network.
I have children. Do I need a referral for them to see a pediatrician?
No. Referrals are not needed for children, but the costs will be covered only if the provider is in the Aetna network. Children cannot be seen at student health on campus.
How can I get a free flu shot?
On campus: Columbia Health is providing flu vaccines to students, faculty, and staff on the Morningside Campus (excluding Barnard and CUIMC affiliates*) this Fall, free of charge.
The flu vaccine is mandatory for students coming on to campus this academic year (and must be obtained before October 30, 2020 or prior to arriving on campus), and is strongly recommended for all other members of the Columbia community. Flu vaccines are available in Lerner Hall, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Appointments are required.
*Barnard and CUIMC affiliates should contact their respective
Greater NYC: Students on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan can get a flu vaccine at their local pharmacy or primary care provider. There is no co-payment, unless you request a high-dose flu vaccine.
What if I have more questions about how to use my insurance and what is covered?
You can email studentinsurance@columbia.edu.