Mental Health Services
St James Infirmary offers free caring and compassionate therapy, case management, support groups and peer counseling to current and former sex workers at our offices in San Francisco.
Therapy
St James Infirmary offers 1 year of free weekly trauma-informed, culturally sensitive psychotherapy for individuals. Our therapists each bring their own unique style to the sessions and prioritize respect, compassion, and confidentiality. Our mental health providers are licensed therapists, associate therapists and student interns being supervised by a licensed clinician. We offer specialized care in the following areas:
- Issues facing current and former sex workers
- Transgender, non-binary, and GNC identities and experiences
- Pre-surgical assessments for gender affirming surgery
- LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy
- Complex trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and Depression
- Relationship and family issues
- Harm reduction for substance use and other high-risk behaviors
- Coping with systemic and racialized oppression
- Immigration stress
- Bipolar Disorder
Clinical Case Management
Clinical Case Management offers support for people facing systemic injustice such as houselessness, incarceration, poverty, or lack of access to basic needs who also want therapy. Case management takes place over the phone, on video calls, in our offices as well as in the community where you are. Its ideal for people who struggle to remember appointments or have a hard time coming into the office because of anxiety and trauma. All of our therapy specialties are also available in our Case Management program. Case Management sessions are in english, take place weekly and are provided by a licensed or associate therapist.
Support Groups
Many of our Support Groups are currently on hiatus, please check back or call the clinic for updates!
Our Current Groups:
- Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Un grupo semanal de apoyo, social y activismo en español para trans latinas los jueves de 5 a 7 p. m. / A Spanish-language weekly support, social, and activism group for Trans Latinas on Thursdays 5-7pm.
- Sex Work and Chill. A virtual Trans-focused meet up group for current or former sex worker to chat about life and issues facing the community lead by our lead mental health clincian, Avi Wolf, and our STRIDE peer counselor, Tihani Ko. Email [email protected] for more information.
- Resilience through Mindfulness and Movement lead by holistic healer, Vadan Ritter. On zoom Mondays at 12pm. Contact [email protected] for zoom link.
Meet Our Therapists
I came into this work after training as a sex educator and confidential advocate for survivors. I am enthusiastic about advocating for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, and enjoy creating space for people to safely explore their entire beings without judgement. I am drawn to the field, and particularly to St. James Infirmary, because I believe in spaces that not only affirm people's identities but are intentional about celebrating them as well. Outside of therapy, I enjoy exploring plant shops and flea markets in the East Bay.
My name is Jade (they/them) and I am an associate clinical therapist at St. James Infirmary. I grew up in Los Angeles, but I am very passionate about travel due to the opportunities it offers to meet new people and be immersed in other cultures. My lived experience as a Black, queer and non-binary person allows me to connect easily with people who often feel displaced or "other" in various spaces. I want to offer people a space to feel like they are welcome to explore every aspect of their various identities, free of judgement or oppression. While much of my experience is in crisis intervention and clinical case management, I am eager to walk alongside those looking to make meaning of their experiences, heal from trauma, and increase their resilience and resourcefulness. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog, shooting film photography, baking, and watching live music.
Avi Wolf, LMFT & APCC (they/them) is our lead mental health clinician who has been with St. James for over three years providing therapy, clinical case management, groups, and outreach. Avi is certified sex educator with a passion for exploring gender, sex and sexuality in relation to self of self and nagivating the world. Raised in San Francisco Avi seeks out to support the alternative communities that they were brought up in, including but not limited to the Leather and Kink, Polyam+, Trans and Queer scenes. Avi’s work is influenced by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Harm reduction, Social Justice and Narrative therapy. When not working Avi can be found at a local drag or burlesque show or trying to pet all the cats.
Corrie Varga, LMFT (they/them) leads the mental health department as the clinical supervisor and is a co-director of St James Infirmary. Corrie is a gender health and sexuality specialist with an air for mystery and non-dualism who weaves harm reduction, social justice, and empowerment throughout their work. Corrie maintains a private practice in San Francisco, CA on occupied Ramaytush Ohlone land and provides consultation and training for non-profits, affinity groups, and corporate settings on Leadership Development and LGBTQIA+ diversity, equity and inclusion. Outside of work, Corrie loves to go hiking with their dog, swimming at the yuba river, and lazy afternoons in the garden.
Due to high demand for services, we frequently keep a wait list for new appointments and are happy to provide referrals if you are eager to get started. We do not bill insurance and all of our services are 100% free of cost.
Please call 415-554-8494 or attend our Wednesday Night Drop-In Clinic from 6-9pm to complete a brief mental health screening to determine eligibility and be enrolled in our program.