In 2012, Amberlynne Vithlani noticed a glaring gap in the social fabric of Long Beach: local, accessible and affordable mental health services were extremely hard to come by and faced social stigmas that relegated them to blighted neighborhoods.

She then founded and created Transitions, formally opening about a year ago along 7th St. at Belmont, with the hopes of never turning away anyone who cannot afford to pay—a hope she has kept a reality since opening.

“Bluntly put, there was a lack of resources in Long Beach for everyday people that were isolated and struggling with various challenges,” Vithlani, a social worker, said. “I created Transitions to help both those that did not have the access to support, counseling, and other mental health services, and those that were looking for an affordable alternative or addition to therapy.”

From the recently divorced to the trans* community, Transitions is also the only support group center that provides such a wide variety of services to the general public with no religious affiliation—something that Vithlani insists is a necessary factor. According to her logic, when people combat feelings of isolation, it is meeting others that are experiencing the same thing you are experiencing that leeds to emotional fulfillment—not recognition in belief systems that can oftentimes castigate feelings or eschew important topics of discussion.

Take, for example, the LGBT community that Vithlani caters to. Not only does an estimated 77% of the LGBT community seek mental health services, but the T of LGBT sought such services at an even higher rate—85%, an overwhelming gap that sadly displays that the trans community faces an even more difficult uphill challenge in dealing with societal norms and pressures.

Of course, this is just one small segment of the many groups that Vithlani has catered to.

“We are always starting new groups,” she said. “New clients can enroll in a group through our website, by phone, or via email. In order to increase intimacy and comfort, the maximum number of group members is six. This also gives everyone ample time to share their thoughts and feelings.”

Transitions is located at 4105 E 7th St. and is open on both weekdays and weekdays. It is certified by the National Anger Management Association and is a member of the California Association of Anger Management Providers. Their anger management program will fulfill a Los Angeles court order.