Affirmative Therapy for Gender Diverse Individuals

Are you tired of having to be the expert and educate your providers on what it means to be trans, non-binary or gender fluid? If so, you have come to the right place. I am a Certified Transgender Care Specialist providing affirmative services to gender expansive individuals.

I want to be up front that I am a cisgender, heterosexual, privileged, white woman. I continue to do work to dismantle my own biases and to recognize how my privilege shows up in my life and in my work. And I actively seek feedback from my clients on their experience of me as a therapist and work to create an environment where if something doesn't fit or lands wrong for you or you wonder why I said something or suggest something, that you will feel safe to bring in brining it up and knowing you will be heard.

Therapists and mental health professionals, if you are interested in learning more about becoming an affirmative therapist  for trans and non-binary folks, click here.

What is affirmative therapy?

Affirmative therapy takes an inclusive and fluid view of gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality and challenges the assumptions of the gender binary. It incorporates education and support for trans* clients in developing a positive identity and self-esteem while addressing the impact of minority stress, discrimination, and trans-phobias.

How I work with trans* clients

In addition to taking an affirmative stance, I use a client-centered, strength-based approach with a focus on helping resolve any trauma history. I recognize that abuse, harassment, and discrimination towards trans* people, particularly trans women of color, is significantly higher than for the general population and it is important that this reality not be minimized. I also understand you may want to focus on other things and not be identified only by this one aspect of who you are.

I will work with you wherever you are at in your identity journey and recognize that you need to be in control over your life, your choices and your treatment. My job is to make sure you feel seen, heard and valued for exactly who you are, even if you don’t know exactly who that is right now. It is my job to hold space for you so that you can explore and better understand yourself.

Letters for hormones or surgery

If you are seeking a therapist who is competent and willing to write letter(s) for hormones or surgeries I am here for you. If you are not seeking therapy with me and simply need a letter this will require an evaluation. During this evaluation we will discuss both your past and your present.  For this evaluation, I typically only need to meet with you one time. I may ask to speak to others on your treatment team. If at the end of this evaluation, I feel it is appropriate I will be happy to provide you with a letter of support. I have yet to meet an individual for whom I feel this would not be appropriate, but I feel it is unethical to not be up-front that this is a possibility.

I am committed to reducing barriers for individuals seeking services and procedures designed to help them achieve their goals related to becoming fully who they are. Therefore, if my fees are out of your price range and you simply need a letter in support of some sort of gender confirmation surgery or procedure, please contact me and we can come to an agreement so that you can get your needs met.

You have taken the first step by checking out this website. I encourage you to take the next step and call me. I look forward to speaking with you and coming up with a plan to help you to let go the pain of the past, live more fully in the present and start developing hope for the future.