LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
What is affirmative therapy?
Affirmative therapy is an approach to therapy that embraces a positive view of a given identity while addressing the negative influences that oppressive social biases may have against them. When I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals, I am supportive of their identities and take a strength-based approach, focusing on helping them meet their goals for mental wellness with an understanding of the impact homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism may have on their lives.
Many of my clients have had experiences that left them feeling misunderstood by others in their lives, including family, friends, professional connections, medical providers, and previous therapists. When starting a therapeutic relationship with me, you won’t have to worry that your sexuality, gender orientation, relationship orientation, or lifestyle will be unnecessarily questioned or pointed to as an area of pathology. I trust you to be the expert in your identities and choices. However, this does not mean that I will expect you to educate me on the basics — I am committed to continually learning and growing in my practice.
Gender-affirming care and transgender health
I believe you understand who you are, and my role is not to act as a gatekeeper to your goals. I’m here to provide information so you can make the best decision possible.
I don’t charge for writing letters or completing an assessment for gender-affirming care such as HRT. If a letter is part of your counseling process with me, the letter will come at no extra cost to you.
Depending on your medical provider, a letter from a therapist is not always necessary for gender-affirming care. Planned Parenthood offers an informed consent model for those 18+ and requires parental consent for those 17 years of age and younger. Additional information may be required and guidelines may change. Please contact your local Planned Parenthood for additional information.
Please note, I am not a physician and cannot provide medical advice. I work from the WPATH SOC 7. For any medical questions, please consult a doctor.
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Therapy is NOT a requirement to obtain a letter for HRT. It is normal to have questions, doubts, and anxieties about taking the next step in the transition process. Finding a provider that understands you is important. If you are interested in therapy, you can schedule an appointment with me, and I will be happy to meet.
I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, which means I have a provisional license and work under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. As a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, I have my qualified supervisor co-sign my letters to ensure they meet provider requirements. Because of this, letters can take up to a week to get back depending on when we meet for the assessment.
In order to provide a letter for gender affirming care an assessment will be completed to ensure you meet the criteria outlined in the WPATH SOC 7, but this does not mean therapeutic intervention needs to take place.
There is no minimum number of sessions required to obtain a letter. I don’t believe in gatekeeping, but because everyone is unique, the number of sessions won’t be determined until we meet. The number of sessions is typically between 1-4.
My goal with assessments is not for you to prove your gender to me. Medical transition is not a requirement to be valid in your identity, but medical transition may be something you desire. My role is to offer a space to provide information and to make sure you understand the process.