At CORA, if you are an LGBTQ+ survivor of intimate partner violence or abuse, you are safe and welcome here.
We are dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally appropriate individual therapy, family therapy and support groups
We believe people of all genders who are fleeing abusive relationships or are homeless due to abuse deserve a safe and welcoming place to stay
We provide referrals to a wide network of San Mateo and Bay Area LGBTQ+ resources and organizations to those who call our crisis line.
CORA proudly partners with local and state organizations to promote LGBTQ+ inclusive intimate partner violence services
Services & Advocacy
Increasing awareness of LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Abuse (and best practices with survivors)
Survivor Groups and Healthy Relationship Groups specific to LGBTQ+ experiences
Mental Health and Crisis Support
Client Advocacy
LGBTQ+ Case Management
Internal and External Trainings
Safety Planning Workshops
When Jae (they/he) called CORA’s 24-hour hotline, they had recently left a relationship that was emotionally and financially violent and socially isolating. Jae’s partner would use Jae’s nonbinary identity against them through negative comments about Hormone Replacement Therapy’s effect on their body, saying that their friends couldn’t support Jae like they could, and forced Jae to pay for all the rent the two of them were meant to share to “prove they were trans enough.”
At the beginning of therapy, Jae was confused if the relationship was abusive or not and had trouble staying present, frequent negative thoughts, and shame about leaving their partner. Through their therapist’s intersectional lens, he was able to process the relationship and untangle feelings of shame and confusion while finding his identity as a source of strength. Jae was also able to join one of CORA’s creative arts therapy groups where he met with other survivors, whose experiences sometimes mirrored his own, and reconnected to his love of writing. In addition, Jae met with CORA’s LGBTQ+ Outreach Advocate who assessed their material needs. The advocate helped Jae sign up for Medi-Cal and provided information on LGBTQ+ specific events that could expand Jae’s connection to a larger local community. After a few months with CORA, Jae expressed finally feeling free and proud of himself saying, “I am enough, and I don’t need to carry the pain alone anymore.”
