Gender Identity Counseling

Gender Identity, Transgender and Transitioning Counseling

Many people struggle in silence a long time before acknowledging and accepting that they experience discomfort and a feeling of displacement due to their assigned gender. People struggling with gender identity often feel displacement from childhood. Gender identity can often help with resolving these struggles.

Very early in childhood they may express a definite preference for another gender identity along with related roles and behaviors. These dysphoria feelings can result in serious issues with depression, anxiety, and feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness and worthlessness. If you identify as transgender or are seeking guidance and support about gender issues, we are here to help. We offer that guidance and support along with affirming knowledge to address those issues specific to gender identity and the transitioning process.

Whether you are just starting your journey, or want more specific guidance around transitioning issues, we can help you find the answers in a safe and affirming environment. In gender identity counseling, you will have the space process thoughts and feelings, to learn self-acceptance, deal with dysphoric thoughts and feelings, and resolve anxiety and depression.

We support the right to consent. However, we are able to help you with the documentation to resolve obstacles with progressing with your transition process. We can also assist with decisions about transitioning and finding providers if needed. You are in charge of your personal expression of who you are. We are here to help you achieve your goals around that.

Unfortunately, with the changing administration and political climate, many challenges lie ahead. We plan to continue to serve the transgender community with counseling and support to navigate these troubled waters. You are welcome here.

Let’s talk about LQBTQIAA+. Gender Identity is different for everyone. Most of the general public is familiar with the acronym LGBT.

Although the variations of the LGBTQ acronym are meant to encapsulate all people who who identify as other than heterosexual or the assigned birth gender, it is clear that there can be some major differences between those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning, and those who are transgender or intersex. 

There appears to be a greater understanding and familiarity with variations in sexual orientation in the general population and frequently they struggle with understanding the difference between the two.  

Gender identity and sexual orientation exist on two distinct spectrums, meaning that there is a lot of variation within each realm.

LGBQA terms refer to sexual orientation (e.g. who people are sexually attracted to).

TI refer to gender identity (e.g. the gender that a person identifies with). Like the T, the I in intersex also relates to gender identity,as intersex individuals have sexual characteristics that are neither male nor female.

Here we are focusing on the gender identity component. Here is some related vocabulary for those just developing an awareness of gender identity and getting acquainted with the broad range of identities within this umbrella term. Some terms help us see the many variations in gender identity, and provide a sense of some of the ways that gender identity can play out.

Transgender

Individuals who have a different gender identity or gender expression than their sex assigned at birth. Trans people may or may not undergo gender affirming medical procedures.

Trans sexual

Technical term that refers to individuals who undergo medical procedures to transition from their assigned gender to the gender they identify with.  These procedures can range from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), to breast augmentation or mastectomy (“top surgery”), to sex reassignment surgery (“bottom surgery”).

Trans man or Trans male

Person who is assigned female at birth and transitions to male gender identity.

Trans woman­ or Trans female

Person who is assigned male at birth and transitions to female gender identity.

Genderqueer

Person who does not identify as either male or female. These individuals may identify with aspects of binary genders, or neither.

Gender non-binary/Non-binary

Refers to a person whose gender identity does not fit along the male/female binary.

Gender nonconforming

A person who does not ascribe to traditional aspects of their gender identity through their gender expression. They may present physically in nontraditional way.

Preferred pronoun

Most people demonstrate a preferred way to be referred to by others in terms of gender. This is very important in particular with trans/genderqueer/non-binary individuals because it allows them to feel affirmed in their gender identity. Asking somebody about what pronouns they prefer, lets them know that you don’t assume that just because they may appear to look like a particular gender, that they want to be referred to that way.

The most common pronoun series are: she/her/hers; he/him/his; they/their/theirs.

There are many more terms out there. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Having more familiarity and awareness is a critical step in increasing our understanding of these members of the population.

Keep in mind that for many trans people, it can feel limiting to need to use terms to explain to others who they are. Many people whom I’ve worked with have expressed feeling that the terms are most useful for other people, and not for the individual themselves.

Terminology can be as fluid as gender itself, and so it is completely normal for people who identify under the trans-umbrella to use terms interchangeably.

As a general rule of thumb, with friends or acquaintances whom you know to identify as trans, don’t assume what terms or pronouns they use- just ask!

If you or someone you love might benefit from gender identity counseling contact us using the form on the contact page or call or text 770-727-1750 about getting started.