Members make all we do possible.

Peer Members at Identity House support our mission in one of two ways: as Peer Counselors or Peer Admins. Both roles are open to individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and want to give back to the community—either by working directly with clients or by helping run the organization behind the scenes.

Peer Counselors use their lived experience as LGBTQ+ people to relate to the struggles of the clients they see. They use active listening skills to help the client clarify their thoughts and feelings, and work with the client to explore various options or solutions.

To work as a Peer Counselor, members must join a weekly supervision group led by one of our Therapist Members. Each supervision group lasts approximately 12 weeks and occurs seasonally, except during summer. As Peer Counselors become more experienced and participate in trainings, they may undergo a consensus-based approval process to lead support groups and become short-term counselors.

Peer Admins are members who help with the administrative tasks involved in running Identity House. Admins do not counsel clients, but they play an essential role in supporting the organization. 

Those who are interested in joining as peers but can’t make the time commitment that clinical work requires, or don’t feel an affinity for clinical work, may prefer to start as Peer Admins. Often, members alternate between administrative and clinical work depending on the level of commitment they’re able to make.

All members must participate in a screening and orientation process before joining.