Opened in 1986 as a direct response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Pride Institute has led the way in helping LGBTQ+ folx recover from substance use, sexual health issues like chemsex, and mental health conditions. Their residential, day treatment, and intensive
outpatient programs provide a safe space and tools to overcome addiction no matter how clients identify within the LGBTQ+ community. Clients join a community that understands the unique experiences and challenges of the LGBTQ+ journey.
Pride Institute ensures each client’s treatment aligns with their needs, goals, and identity for a meaningful recovery experience. Clients work with a primary counselor to create a tailored plan that may include individual, couple, family, and
group therapy, addressing topics like trauma, sexual health, and LGBTQ+ issues. Evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (
CBT) help clients challenge negative beliefs, develop coping skills, and improve emotional regulation for lasting sobriety.
While each client’s recovery program is tailored to their individual journey, all programming at Pride is specifically developed for the LGBTQIA2+ community. Their inclusive and affirming environment removes barriers often found in non-LGBTQ+-specific treatment settings, ensuring clients receive 24/7 support from knowledgeable staff and peers who understand their experiences.
At Pride Institute, their alumnx program connects clients with a community that helps each other live the life they’ve worked so hard to achieve in treatment. Events include reunions, speakers, sober activities, and connections with the recovery community on an international level.
Pride Institute’s main campus is located in a quiet, wooded area with a creek flowing nearby. Their outpatient location is in the heart of a highly artistic and progressive area of the city. The Twin Cities, home to the fifth-largest LGBTQ+ community in the U.S., offers access to LGBTQ+-specific sober housing, LGBTQ+-specific recovery meetings, and a thriving cultural scene. To help clients stay focused on recovery, they do not allow most electronics, such as tablets, recording devices, or digital cameras. Pride Institute arranges travel and covers the costs to ensure clients can access the care they need.