What Does A Gender Therapist Do & My Gender Exploration?

Gender Therapy and How Gender Therapy Works

Are you considering going through gender affirmation, either through surgical means or otherwise? If you are, then it’s important that you fully understand the process and what is involved prior to the actual affirmation. Going through the process is serious, and it requires you to think long and hard before you make a decision that may be permanent. From childhood to puberty and into adulthood, gender nonconformity is recognized as a valid mental health concern, and there are countless avenues that may be explored with a mental health professional familiar with others who experience the same issues.

People who begin exploring their gender identity can encounter countless obstacles in their day-to-day life, from misunderstandings from the people closest to them to inadequate representation on a federal scale. Exploring gender identity is not linear, nor is it the same for everyone; different people explore and come to conclusions in one way, while others explore and reach conclusions in an entirely different way. A therapist who specializes in gender therapy may be able to help you determine what will work best for your lifestyle, needs, and hopes.

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What Is The Right Therapist For Me?

Gender therapists perform many different functions. For those who are considering transition, a gender therapist might assist in the process by making sure the individual is sure of their decision, and walking them through the different physical and mental changes that accompany the transition process. For people who are experiencing gender dysphoria, a gender therapist can offer general mental health services with the understanding and perspective required of being a gender nonconforming person, or can provide therapy specific to nonconforming experiences and concerns.A gender therapist is a specialized mental health professional who works with people who are transgender, currently in transition or interested in transition, experiencing gender dysphoria, or questioning their gender identity. A gender therapist will either have specialized training or a great deal of experience working with gender nonconforming people, in order to provide a safe and understanding place in which to explore and begin the process of transition or affirmation.

Gender therapists are typically utilized specifically for those who are in need of additional help or guidance regarding their gender identity, but have also been sought out for their familiarity with gender nonconforming people while working with mental health conditions and concerns that are not directly gender related. By enlisting the help of a therapist who is familiar with general mental health conditions and needs and gender non-conformity, a patient can rest assured that they will be treated with civility and understanding throughout the treatment process.

Gender affirmation and gender nonconformity issues are both extremely personal and require sensitivity and consideration. Therapists who are familiar with the challenges faced by people who do not conform to traditional gender identities or who are currently in transition are vital to make sure that all aspects of mental health are treated with the utmost sensitivity and the greatest degree of care. A gender therapist is, ultimately, tasked with helping their patients better understand their options and pursue the course of action that best suits their wants and needs.

Understanding Gender Therapy

Gender therapy encompasses a rather broad scope of treatment. While it may be tempting to boil gender therapy down to people in transition, questions of gender identity, gender dysphoria, and transition all fall under the purview of gender therapy. This is due, in part, to the complicated nature of gender identity, and the continued misunderstanding associated with people who do not conform to traditional gender identities or those who are pursuing gender affirmation. A therapist who is “gender-informed,” or familiar with common issues and concerns will be better equipped to see gender nonconforming patients than those who are only passably familiar with the transition process and questions related to gender.

If full or partial gender affirmation is the reason for enlisting the help of a gender therapist, the focus of sessions is likely to be on the process of affirmation, what it entails, and how to maintain mental health in the midst of the treatments involved. If transgender issues in general are the reason for enlisting the help of a gender therapist, transition will not be the focus, and the focus will more likely be on any other mental health issues at play, or the specific challenges faced by the transgender community.

Gender therapists are often considered particularly vital for children and teenagers who are questioning their gender identity, actively transgender, or gender nonconforming. Childhood and the teenage years are difficult without the additional layers associated with gender issues, and many children and teenagers benefit tremendously from having a professional source of support and understanding as they navigate their gender identity and goals.

Why Choose Gender Therapy?

Gender nonconformity comes in a wide variety of experiences and looks different for everyone. Consequently, navigating gender non-conformity can be painful and difficult without ample guidance and the objective voice of a professional familiar with gender nonconformity issues. Exploring your gender can be difficult and painful, and people who do not have plenty of support and encouragement may find themselves at greater risk for co-morbid mental health conditions. With adequate treatment and a comprehensive team of healthcare workers, health outcomes are typically positive.

Gender therapy is not designed to change or in any way alter the experience of the individual in question. Instead, gender therapy was created to celebrate individuals and help them more effectively move toward the physical and mental changes that will improve their mental health and make them feel more thoroughly at home in their bodies. In a stark removal from gender therapies of years past, wherein patients were discouraged from further exploring their identities, modern gender therapy recognizes the experience of gender non-conforming individuals and seeks to bridge the gap between what an individual is feeling and what they are experiencing. For some, that means taking steps toward gender affirmation, and for others, that means undergoing therapy to develop comfort and safety within their body and experiences.

Finding The Right Therapist For You

Not all therapists are familiar with issues related to gender nonconformity. Some may mean well, but lack the expertise required to effectively tackle issues related to gender and the potential for affirmation procedures. Locating a therapist with the proper know-how can feel like an impossible feat, especially if you live in a remote area or you do not have a safe space in which to delve further into gender non-conformity. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the pitfalls and obstructions that can stand in the way of locating a reliable gender therapist.

Support groups can provide some peace of mind regarding gender nonconformity, and in the absence of therapy, can provide a safe space in which to question and explore. Support groups can be found in person, or may be utilized online, to find like-minded people and develop a framework of people who are able to understand, support, and care for you. Although support groups are not designed to take the place of legitimate mental health support (nor should they be used in this way), they can be an excellent way to begin seeking help and guidance, and can offer a safe space to talk and learn while you continue to search for a mental health professional who will be able to handle all of your concerns with tact and consideration.

Plenty of people regard proximity as one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a therapist, but research has consistently shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy regarding health outcomes and efficacy of therapy. MyTherapist offers online therapy that can be used to explore gender nonconformity and tackle issues that may be difficult to explore with a local therapy clinic or practice.

If you are currently experiencing gender dysphoria or are a gender-nonconforming individual in need of some guidance and intervention, MyTherapist may be available to help. With the help of highly qualified professionals and consistent therapeutic intervention, people experiencing issues related to gender nonconformity may be able to avoid common co-morbidities and experience a long and healthy life without the standard pitfalls associated with gender nonconformity.

Therapy Is Personal

Therapy is a personal experience; not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. Keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy, regardless of your specific goals. If you’re still wondering if therapy is right for you and how much therapy costs, please get in touch with us at contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you’re interested in individual therapy, please reach out to contact@betterhelp.com. For more information about BetterHelp as a company, please find us on:

If you need a crisis hotline or want to learn more about therapy, please see below:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) – 1-800-656-4673
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – 1-800-950-6264

For more information on mental health, please see:

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA Facebook, SAMHSA Twitter, SAMHSA LinkedIn
Mental Health America, MHA Twitter, MHA Facebook, MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest, MHA LinkedIn
WebMD, WebMD Facebook, WebMD Twitter, WebMD Pinterest, WebMD LinkedIn
NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), NIMH Facebook, NIMH Twitter,NIMH YouTube, NIMH LinkedIn
APA (American Psychiatric Association), APA Twitter, APA Facebook, APA LinkedIn, APA Instagram

Get Help Now

Emergency: 911
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Family Violence Helpline: 1-800-996-6228
Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
National Crisis Line – Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
LGBTQ+ Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
TransLifeline: https://www.translifeline.org – 877-565-8860 APA Youtube
Suicide Prevention Wiki: http://suicideprevention.wikia.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a therapist in gender therapy do?

Gender therapists work with transgender individuals or those who are questioning their gender identity. They help patients process their feelings, integrate their sense of self, and deal with transitioning stress. They also provide support for transgender people who have experienced bullying or violence. All these are important outcomes of gender therapy. You can find a therapist by searching your health insurer’s network or the World Professional Association for Transgender Health directory.

What a gender specific therapist should I see?

Seeking gender therapy is an important, affirming decision. As you work to find a therapist, look for a gender specialist who provides the services you need. Think about your goals. Are you preparing for a gender transition? Do you need help dealing with mistreatment by family or coworkers? Are you uncertain if you are experiencing gender dysphoria? Gender therapists can help you find answers and move forward with the tools you need to be healthy. Find a therapist who is gender-affirming and wants you to live comfortably with your correct identity.

What is gender-affirming therapy?

Gender affirming therapy, or gender therapy for short, refers to a psychotherapy style that promotes transgender health. This includes support for gender-nonconforming individuals, beginning gender transition, and transgender people who need help recovering and integrating their sense of self during and after the transition. If you are looking for this sort of counseling and treatment, find a therapist specializing in gender identity issues.

What is gender dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is a condition in which individuals experience severe psychological distress because their gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This is different from gender-nonconforming individuals who may reject the gender binary in their self-expression. Rather, patients with gender dysphoria have been raised as girls or boys when they do not identify as such.

It is important to note that gender is culturally constructed and distinct from biological sex. In Western culture, the intense reinforcement of a rigid gender binary (despite multiple variations even of biological sex) contributes to the stigma against anyone who does not fall into the binary. This social disapproval can cause low self-esteem and feelings of isolation that make depression and suicidality much more common among transgender people. The role of a gender therapist is to help people with gender dysphoria overcome those negative feelings.

What is gender affirmation?

Gender affirming therapy and other treatments help someone with gender dysphoria express their correct gender. Because gender is culturally constructed, cultural artifacts and social behaviors can help someone with their self-expression. However, many transgender people experienced stressful childhoods and/or differential socialization, so gender-affirming therapy can help them learn to accommodate the gender identity and presentation that feels right to them. A gender therapist helps them navigate this process by exploring internal conflicts, challenging gender roles, and developing a refined sense of self.

Which therapy is most preferred for gender dysphoria?

How much does gender dysphoria cost?

How do I know if I'm gender dysphoria?

At what age does gender identity develop?

Can gender dysphoria go away?

What Can A Gender Therapist Do For Me?