Gender Identity / LGBT Issues and Families of those Transitioning

Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is a condition where one’s biological genital organs assigned at birth (one’s sex) does not match the mental and emotional way one sees oneself (gender). The struggle associated with it relates to self-acceptance and acceptance by others. Gender dysphoria can be present in young children, adolescence, and adults.
Many people with gender dysphoria come to therapy to:

1) Explore their gender identity or expression

2) Facilitate a “coming out” process

3) Get an assessment and referral for feminization or masculinizing medical interventions such as taking hormones or having surgery

4) Receive psychological support for family members

Hormones, Sexual Reassignment

I follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care when treating those with Gender Dysphoria. The major purpose of the Standards of Care (SOC) is to outline the best levels of care for gender identity disorders. I recommend that anyone who desires to make any changes regarding their gender dysphoria read the standards that apply to them.

The standards also set the suggested/required recommendations for surgery, hormones, etc.
You can obtain a free copy of the SOC through SOC FREE DOWNLOAD

According to the Standards, therapy is not a requirement for surgery, and the above can be done through individual assessments. Yet, many people choose some therapy to discuss and work through their individual and unique situations. Some topics include:

1.  Self-acceptance
2.   Religious/spiritual issues
3.   Dealing with spouse and children
4.   Telling family and friends
5.  Experiencing discrimination from others
6.  Establishing a new network of friends
7.  Starting hormone therapy
8.  Transitioning on or changing jobs
9. Developing a wardrobe
10. Voice coaching
11. Cosmetic surgical procedures
12. Sexuality

Therapy is a safe place where gender dysphoria, and gender-variant conditions, are seen as a matter of diversity and not pathology.

Each person makes informed choices about what works best for them. You also have the opportunity to bring family members/partners/others to therapy if you choose to.

My goal is to provide a safe space where those with gender dysphoria can discuss their issues and concerns and make educated and informed decisions regarding what would work best for them to alleviate their symptoms. In addition, my goal is to help those with gender dysphoria achieve lasting personal comfort with themselves.   

Lesbian Therapy

Some lesbian issues may be directly related to being lesbian.
These could include:

-Coming out personally and professionally
-Exploring your sexual identity
-Overcoming shame about romantic and sexual feelings
-Fear of being discovered even in situations where it’s safe to be out
-Getting tired of feeling like you have to overcompensate and work harder and
be perfectionistic to be accepted
-Not being able to tell family/ dealing with prejudice in your family
-Dealing with prejudice in your culture or religion
-Dealing with trauma, bullying, discrimination, patriarchy, misogyny
-Dealing with your own internalized homophobia
-Jealousy over heterosexual privilege
-Fear of having a profession where you minimize your personal life in fear of losing your position.

For others, it can also be a safe place to work out other issues that you are dealing with in life. Either way, therapy can provide a safe and confidential place to share the burden, help you clarify your thinking and put you in a place to make better choices.
Therapy can provide you with help to strengthen your identity as an individual or couple. It can also improve your communication and intimacy so you can create the changes you want in your relationship.

I have worked with the LGBTQ+ community for over 25 years. My goal is to provide a safe space where you can identify and integrate solutions that work best for you.

“Your Value Does Not Decrease Based On Someone’s Inability to See Your Worth”

Additional Resources

Personal Boundaries & Effective Confrontation Workbook

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