Gender Identity

I am married to a post-transition trans man whom I regularly accompany to to trans conferences, meetings, and events. I also have professional experience providing individual, couple, family, and group services to trans individuals and their families, both binary and non-binary. I have experience writing letters for gender affirming hormone therapy and surgery.

“Being trans means I made myself and the world didn’t make me. I defy some of the most powerful cultural institutions in the world.” https://glaad.org/ilovebeingtransbc/ I partner with folks in understanding, accepting, expressing, and asserting their gender. I see gender as an infinite spectrum, and gender alignment/transition as a nonlinear process unique to each person.

As a nonbinary therapist I have considerable personal experience with feeling uncertain and confused in one's body. Perhaps you experience outright dysphoria. Perhaps you're feeling more of a vague feeling that something is wrong. Perhaps you feel ecstatic imagining yourself looking difference or being perceived and treated different by others. Perhaps you feel torn in multiple directions and feel confused. Whatever your experience, I can help guide you to greater self understanding.

For over 10 years, we have worked diligently with clients exploring (and often struggling) with their gender identity. This is our primary specialty at The Mind Parlor; we strongly assert that the "T" in LGBTQ is it's own unique and individual part of the queer community. As such, we believe gender identity clients deserve dedicated specialists with experience and training specifically pertaining to these particular challenges. Well, in this area, we can confidently say "we've got you covered!"

We can help you explore your gender identity to be able to live your most authentic life. We will provide letters for gender affirming surgeries following an assessment and recommendation of services for you to have a successful surgery. The assessment can be anywhere from 1-3 sessions and recommendations could range from ongoing therapy to education about the types of surgeries or making sure that you have the social supports in place for recovery.

I help clients explore their gender and sexual identities. I work with folks who are navigating understanding themselves, expressing themselves to the outside world, coming out to others, transitioning, and de-transitioning too. I am comfortable supporting individuals who are on the spectrum of sexuality, including asexual, polyamorous, and kinky.

Since 2004 I've been doing psychotherapy with transgender or questioning folks, a non-binary as an emerging issue in the past decade or more. Have resources and experience. I consider myself non-binary.

Pressure to conform to social norms can be overwhelming and interfere with living. A person cannot possibly be living their best life if they are detached from their authentic self or feel trapped by traditional gender norms . I have worked with people who identify all along the gender spectrum from curious and questioning to fully transitioned. Supporting and helping them find their authenticity is one of the most rewarding parts of my professional work.

Exploring the influence of the gender binary, gender roles, how various cultures view gender differently, gender markers, correct pronouns, having discussions around gender identity with loved ones, friends, or co-workers. There are a lot of issues that can come with exploring gender identity. I recognize that there are many sides to this concept and work with my clients to provide them a safe space to explore issues connected to gender, regardless of how they identify.

In addition to lived experience, I have completed a Masters level Clinical Internship at the Gender Identity Center in 2018. Since then I have been providing gender affirming mental health care in a variety of settings such as inpatient mental health for teens and adults as well as clinics that provide play therapy to children. Additionally, I provide education for behavioral health providers to bring cultural relevance into provider practice and to create affirming and inclusive environments.

I offer letters of support for gender affirming surgery. Schedule a free consultation with me by looking at my calendar on https://resonanceportland.com/ to get the process started.

In a previous professional life, I managed a program specifically for LGBTQ+ with a large population of transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse clients. As a cishet person, I approached this position with immense humility and put on my learning and listening hats. I sought intensive training and consultation with gender-diverse therapists (and continue to do so) on how best to support LGBTQ+ folks. I grew to have a strong passion in providing support to this deeply-respected community.

I have extensive research and training in understanding the unique needs of trans, non-binary, gender nonconforming, and genderqueer populations, as well as the LGBTQQIA community. I also enjoy helping cigender individuals explore and challenge rigid cultural expectations about gender roles. I welcome parents and family members who want to learn more and be more supportive of their queer and trans loved ones.

Navigating the complexities of gender identity and sexual orientation can be a profound journey. I provide a safe, affirming space where you can explore your authentic self. I follow World Professional Association for Transgender Health 8 standards of care and can provide gender affirming letters for HRT, surgery, etc. I am passionate about trans rights and have many people in my life who are trans. You are safe with me.

I can help you explore your gender identity to live in your most authentic self. I will provide letters for gender affirming surgeries following an assessment and recommendation of services for you to have a successful surgery. The assessment can be anywhere from 1-3 sessions and recommendations could range from ongoing therapy to education about the types of surgeries or making sure that you have the social supports in place for recovery.

I am a WPATH certified gender therapist. I have been practicing in Transgender Health since 2017.

I bring a combination of professional and personal experience to my work with individuals exploring their Gender Identity - whether it's about coming out, transitioning, or just exploring. In addition to my work as a therapist and my personal experience, I spent several years working with Identity House - an all-volunteer LGBTQ+ peer counseling organization in NYC - facilitating Transgender and Trans/Non-Binary support groups.

I have worked with folks in the trans community for many years, and have met people at various stages in their transition. I am happy to provide required letters for gender-affirming care when needed to the trans folks I work with. My goal is to help you feel more comfortable in your identity, with a sense of acceptance and care that I hope you are able to take with you into your other relationships.