What is a gender therapist? A gender therapist helps people who are struggling with their identity, or those who have questions about what it means to be transgender.
Gender therapists can also help parents and family members of trans individuals, as well as friends and partners-to-be.
In addition to counseling sessions, they often work in collaboration with other mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists. They may also provide education on LGBTQ+ topics for schools, employers, churches and more.
What is a Gender Therapist Compared to a Transgender Therapist
A gender therapist is someone who specializes in helping people with their gender dysphoria.
A transgender therapist, on the other hand, may also have training in counseling and be able to help you work through your feelings about being transgendered or transsexual. The two are not mutually exclusive – one can do both types of therapy.
If you’re struggling with coming out as transgender to friends and family members or if you’ve come out but still need support dealing with this transition period, talk to a professional counselor who’s trained in working with LGBTQ+ individuals like yourself!
It might seem scary at first talking to somebody new about something so personal, but most counselors will only want what’s best for you.
They’ll provide non-judgmental support and help you figure out what’s blocking your happiness.
A therapist may also be able to help you explore how your gender identity intersects with the rest of who you are.
For instance, a good counselor will ask about your hobbies or interests that might not seem related to being transgendered but could still have an impact on how much distress or dysphoria (a feeling of unease) you’re experiencing!
They’ll listen intently while respectfully recognizing that this is one more piece in understanding all there is to know about yourself.
This can’t be done alone, which is why it’s so important find somebody who understands where we come from and sees us as whole human beings rather than just our gender presentation.
Gender Therapist vs. Transgender Therapist: Which One is Best
A gender therapist focuses on changing someone’s sex to match their desired identity, while a transgender therapist helps someone transition from one assigned sex to another.
Gender therapists can be psychologists, psychiatrists or social workers. Transgender therapists have more in-depth knowledge of what it means to be transgender and may work with other professionals such as endocrinologists (doctors who specialize in hormones), surgeons (who perform surgery) or voice coaches.
5 Helpful Tips on finding the right transgender therapist
It can be hard to find the right gender therapist, especially if you are new or transitioning. Here are some tips on how to pick a good one:
-ask your doctor for recommendations and referrals
-look online at reviews of therapists in your area
-call organizations that serve LGBTQ+ people in your area (such as Pride Centers)
-go with someone who has experience with transgender clients from their work history
-you may also want to look for a therapist who is LGBTQ+ friendly
-ask prospective therapists about their specific areas of expertise and what they have done in the past that has helped someone like you.
Some questions are: “What experience do you have working with transgender clients?” or, if they don’t work with trans people but are LGBTQ+ friendly, “Can you recommend a therapist who works with transgender clients?”
If all else fails, it’s best not to worry about finding the perfect match – just know that there is no “right” answer when it comes to choosing which professional will help guide you through this process! The most important thing is getting support and being able to tell them what you need.
Commonly Asked Questions About Gender Therapy
What is a transgender therapist?
A transgender therapist helps someone transition from one assigned sex to another. They are also called gender therapists if they focus on changing the person’s sex to match their desired identity.
Do gender therapists only focus on changing someone’s sex to match their desired identity?
No. Gender therapists can help someone transition from one assigned sex to another, but this is not the only thing they do. Transgender therapists have more in-depth knowledge of what it means to be transgender and may work with other professionals such as endocrinologists (doctors who specialize in hormones), surgeons (who perform surgery).
How much does a gender therapist cost?
Gender therapists can charge anywhere from $65 to over $300 per hour.
They may also offer various discounts for people on low incomes. The price is determined by where the person lives, how much they make (hourly or annually), and what kind of insurance they have.
How do I find a gender therapist?
A person can find a therapist by looking up therapists on websites such as Local Therapist Finder.
They may also be able to call their insurance company and ask for the information of any gender-specialized therapists they have in their network. They could also go to LGBTQ centers or organizations, like PFLAG (Parents And Friends Of Lesbians And Gays), and ask for referrals.
Is gender therapy covered by insurance?
Depending on the person’s insurance and where they live, gender therapy might be covered.
Some countries (such as Canada) have public health care programs that cover many treatments for transgender people.
In other places, such as the United States, there is not a set standard of coverage from one state to another.
How do you get diagnosed with gender dysphoria?
A person must meet two sets of criteria to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
The first is having a persistent, well-documented case history and the second is identifying as transgender or transsexual. A mental health professional will assess these requirements in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Can gender dysphoria go away?
Gender dysphoria does not go away.
It is a lifelong condition that can be managed with treatment, but it cannot be cured.
Some people experience relief from their gender dysphoria symptoms as they transition to living full-time in the desired gender role and social identity, while others may need continual therapy for years or decades.
Can you legally change your gender in the US?
Yes, if you meet the requirements of a diagnosis for gender dysphoria and have undergone or are undergoing at least one year of continuous hormonal treatment.
Do I have gender dysphoria?
The only way to accurately diagnose gender dysphoria is for a health professional to assess these requirements in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
What causes gender dysphoria?
There is no one single cause of gender dysphoria, which can make it difficult to pinpoint the root causes. Some possible factors may include genetic or hormonal irregularities during development before birth and social or environmental influences from society after birth.
The result is a feeling that there’s something wrong with your body because it doesn’t match up with what you feel is your true gender.
Gender dysphoria may cause a person to experience distress and anxiety, which can lead to depression or mental health concerns.
It’s important for people with these symptoms to get help as soon as possible because the risk of suicide in those with untreated gender dysphoria is around 20%.
Do you need therapy to transition?
No, not everyone needs therapy to process their gender dysphoria. Therapy can help people with borderline personality disorder or other mental health concerns that may be associated with the condition. It could also provide a sense of closure and safety for those who don’t want to transition but do need support in moving forward in life.
Is gender reassignment surgery considered cosmetic?
No, gender reassignment surgery is not considered cosmetic because it’s a medical procedure that permanently changes the genitals.
Is gender dysphoria caused by trauma?
Many people still believe that gender dysphoria is caused by trauma and mental illness. However, these are not the only causes of gender confusion because there is a difference between being transgender or transsexual and feeling like you don’t belong in your body (gender identity).
At what age can you change your gender?
You cannot legally change your sex until the age of 18 years old. For those who are 16 and 17, a legal guardian must consent to allow them to have their genitals changed as well.
Is gender reassignment surgery painful?
The process of gender reassignment surgery is painful and requires a lot of time to recover. However, the pain can be controlled by using anesthesia before the operation starts in order to ensure that your whole body feels no pain while going through with it.
How much does gender reassignment cost?
Gender confirmation surgeries vary from person-to-person and are priced at a $25,000 to $50,000 range.
Is this surgery covered by insurance?
Insurance companies don’t cover the cost of gender confirmation surgeries because they’re considered cosmetic procedures and not medically necessary.
Can you identify as both genders?
Gender identity is when someone identifies themselves as male or female based on their biological birth. Identifying as both genders is possible, but not every person feels the need to do so.