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Inclusive care at Main Line Health

One of the keys to good health care is being open with your health care provider. Doctors, nurses, physician assistants, psychotherapists and other professionals treating you need to know about your sexual orientation and gender identity to give the best care possible.

However, surveys consistently show that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer/questioning patients aren’t open about their sexual orientation with health care providers, and transgender patients often face unique challenges finding competent care.

At Main Line Health, we're aware of the disparities and everyday stressors that many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities face. And we’re here to make sure everyone gets the care they need.

Getting LGBTQ inclusive health care right

When it comes to getting basic medical care, many LGBTQ patients avoid going to the doctor for routine and preventive care due to past negative or uncomfortable experiences with doctors and doctors' offices, or for fear of being judged or having to educate a medical professional about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As part of the LGBTQ Inclusive Care effort at Main Line Health, health care providers and staff members who have undergone specialized training to provide competent and compassionate care for the LGBTQ community receive the LGBTQ Inclusive Care provider designation.

Training for Main Line Health LGBTQ health care providers includes:

• Understanding of LGBTQ terminology and epidemiology.
• Being aware of and sensitive to issues of confidentiality and the importance of privacy for all.
• Being more inclusive, such as asking patients their preferred name and pronoun vs. calling them by the name on their ID or making assumptions about their gender.
• Providing LGBTQ-friendly information in waiting areas and providing access to gender-neutral as well as gender-specific restrooms.

While Main Line Health continues to improve and expand access for LGBTQ patients and their families, LGBTQ patients can feel confident visiting our LGBTQ provider locations, knowing they’ll receive competent care in an LGBTQ-friendly environment.

SAGE Intensive Outpatient Group

SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Expansive) Intensive Outpatient Group is now enrolling at Mirmont Treatment Center, part of Main Line Health. The new mental health intensive outpatient group is led by Sarah Aked, MSW, a clinical social worker at Mirmont Treatment Center, and takes place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. at Mirmont Outpatient Center–Broomall.

SAGE is open to any adult (18+) who identifies as LGBTQ+ and lives with a primary mental health diagnosis. This group will include mental health psychoeducation, DBT-informed therapy, mindfulness and a culturally responsive and strengths-based approach.

Every person deserves to feel safe in the facility where they are receiving care. Our team is committed to fostering an equitable and culturally responsive environment so that all LGBTQ+ patients feel welcomed and receive the highest quality mental health care.

To learn more or schedule an evaluation for this group, call 1.888.227.3898.

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