Gender Affirming Therapy
Empowering you to live authentically as your true self!
I provide individual, couple and family therapy for Trans and Nonbinary youth and adults. As a gender affirming therapist, I have specialized training and experience in working with individuals who identify as transgender, gender fluid, genderqueer, nonbinary, agender, bigender and more. It is my passion to provide you with a safe and affirming space to explore, encourage and inspire you to be YOU!
What is gender affirming therapy?
Gender affirming therapy offers you a safe and affirming space to explore issues related to your gender with a therapist who has specialized training and experience. They can assist you in better understanding your gender journey and how to navigate emotional, social, medical, relational, academic and occupational issues or barriers that may arise along your path.
What is an LGBTQ-affirming therapist?
An LGBTQ-affirming therapist is a therapist who is affirming toward the LGBTQ community. However, they may or may not have specialized training and experience in working with the Trans and Nonbinary community to best assist you in your journey. Often times, clients that come to see me have already been working with another therapist, yet as they uncover and explore their gender, they want a therapist with specialized training and knowledge who can better assist them in their affirmation process and access to resources in the community.
Let's Find Out If I Am A Good Fit
What can I expect from gender affirming therapy?
A therapist can help you:
- Explore your gender journey and address any questions you may have
- Access resources and support groups
- Assist you in your social, emotional, familial, occupational, academic, legal and medical affirmation process
- Prepare for medical affirmation steps such as blockers, hormones and surgery if desired
- Access resources for assistance with legally changing your name and/or gender markers
- Provide letters of support when needed
- Learn tools in how to manage depression, anxiety or dysphoria symptoms
- Manage social anxiety and issues with friends, classmates or colleagues
- Increase self-esteem and body image
- Decide to whom and when to share your identity with others
- Address family relationship conflicts or rejection of your authentic self
- Educate family members and partners
- Unpack how transphobia impacts you and others and explore your intersectional identities
- Process and shift internalized transphobia
- Know your rights in school, job and in your community
Parents:
- Increase understanding of your child’s experience
- Address fears and concerns
- Acquire information for steps toward the social, legal and medical affirmation process
- Learn ways to support your child and keep them safe
- Navigate school issues and dealing with potential bullying
- Connect to other parents and resources
Couples:
- Maintain support and connection through the affirmation process
- Find new ways of expressing intimacy together
- Navigate the intersectionality of race, culture, ability, gender, gender expression, sexuality and relationship diversity
Do I need to see a therapist before I can take the medical steps I may want?
It depends. Some physicians require a letter from a therapist before they will prescribe hormones or perform any surgeries, while some physicians follow the “informed consent model”. Informed consent means that after appropriate education and advisement about the treatment in question, the ultimate decision regarding treatment choices rests with the patient and/or parent if the patient is a minor. With informed consent, a letter from a therapist is not needed for some procedures. You make your own health decisions. If you are seeking insurance coverage for surgery, most insurance panels do require a letter(s) from a therapist and/or a physician recommending that the surgical procedure is necessary for your well-being. If you are uncertain if a physician in your area follows the informed consent model of treatment, ask the office staff if a letter is needed for the medical procedure which you are seeking consultation about. I believe in the informed consent model and therefore, I do not require lengthy treatment with me before I will provide a letter of support for medical interventions you are seeking with a physician. YOU make your own medical decisions, and I am here to support you in getting access to the services you desire.
When do I know if I need to see a therapist?
If you are questioning, exploring or affirmed in your gender and want a specialist to help guide you toward resources and your true expression of yourself, a gender affirming therapist can assist you. Parents may also seek guidance from a therapist in order to better understand their child, connect with other parents and address their concerns and questions.
Common parent questions and concerns:
1. What does it mean to be transgender, gender expansive, non-binary, gender fluid or any other identity that my child shares with me?
2. Are my child’s friends and social media influencing my child’s identity?
3. When are the steps and the best time to begin social, legal and/or medical affirmation process?
4. How do I find a doctor that understands and works with transgender and nonbinary youth?
5. What are the effects of hormones and are they safe for my child?
6. Where can my family get support?
7. How do I tell friends and family members?
8. How do I advocate for my child at school?
9. How do I protect my child from potential bullying at school and online?
10. What if I do not understand or my religious beliefs do not align with my child’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
11. How can I reconcile my faith and my child’s identity?
12. I support my child, but my partner or my child’s other parent does not.
13. Can you change or influence my child’s gender identity or sexual orientation?
14. How do I legally change my child’s name and gender markers?
15. My child is depressed, anxious and/or dysphoric. How do I help them?
16. Why does my child focus on their gender so much? Why is it such a big deal?
You may also find some answers to your questions on my Trans Resources page. Accessing the right resources is very important to assist you on your journey!