This fall, Western Illinois University opened a new LGBTQ-plus Clinic at its Moline campus.
Dr. Haley Wikoff says it's located in WIU's Counseling Learning Lab. The lab offers services as a part of a degree program, the Master of Science in Education in Counseling.
"Usually counselors says they lack competence or even confidence in working with transgender individuals, whether its an assessment or ongoing counseling. We're trying to build some of those skills in our program, and give them the opportunity to do assessments under supervision, from us as faculty members."
Psycho-social assessments are a preliminary step for anyone who wants medical, gender-affirming care such as Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gender Affirmation Surgery.
"There was just a lack of access to services, here, in the Quad Cities area. We wanted to be able to not only service the Quad City community, but anyone who could access more easily than making several trips to Iowa City."
During the fall semester, Dr. Wikoff and her students conducted counseling labs, while she observed. The space is also used twice a week in partnership with Robert Young Mental Health Center. .
Currently, WIU’s Moline Campus does not operate a medical or counseling clinic.
More information is available on Western's LGBTQ Clinic Website.
