Identity & Multicultural Counseling

Gender affirming treatment is a comprehensive approach that supports individuals in aligning their physical appearance and identity with their gender expression. Our dedicated team of mental health professionals offers comprehensive gender affirming treatment evaluations to help you understand your gender identity, navigate the transition process, and access the appropriate care.

A gender affirming treatment evaluation is a thorough assessment conducted by a qualified mental health professional to determine if you meet the criteria for gender affirming medical interventions. This evaluation typically involves:

• Comprehensive History: Gathering information about your gender identity, gender expression, and any related experiences or challenges.
• Mental Health Assessment: Evaluating your mental health to ensure that you are psychologically ready for gender affirming medical interventions.
• Social Adjustment Assessment: Assessing your social adjustment and support systems.
• Education and Counseling: Providing information and support regarding gender identity, the transition process, and potential challenges.

Our Approach

Our gender affirming treatment evaluations are conducted by experienced mental health professionals who are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and affirming environment. We prioritize your well-being and offer personalized care tailored to your individual needs.

Surgeons and other healthcare providers may require a Biopsychosocial evaluation and referral letter from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist to provide gender affirming treatments.

Dr. Stephanie Seibert & Dr. Trevor Dun are trained in providing gender affirming psychotherapy as well as Biopsychosocial evaluations to provide referral letters to healthcare providers. Dr. Seibert & Dr. Dunn have experience working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-binary populations. 

Our providers use the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care as a flexible guideline in their approach to working with transgender and gender non-binary individuals. Their referral letters follow the WPATH guidelines.

Examples of Gender-Affirming Treatments that may require a referral letter from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Breast/Chest surgery: augmentation mammoplasty (implants/lipofilling), mastectomy, creation of male chest
• Genital surgery: penectomy, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, clitoroplasty, vulvoplasty, hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy, reconstruction of the fixed part of the urethra, phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, vaginectomy, scrotoplasty, implantation of erection and/or testicular prostheses
• Nongenital, nonbreast surgical interventions: facial feminization surgery, liposuction, lipofilling, voice surgery, thyroid cartilage reduction, pectoral implants, gluteal augmentation (implants/lipofilling), hair reconstruction, and various aesthetic procedures

Members of ethnic, racial, and immigrant communities often face unique mental health challenges related to cultural differences, discrimination, and acculturation. Our dedicated team of therapists offers culturally sensitive mental health services to support individuals from these communities, providing a safe and understanding space to address their needs.

Understanding Cultural Considerations in Mental Health

• • Acculturation Stress: The challenges of adapting to a new culture while maintaining one’s cultural identity.
  • Cultural Stigma: The stigma associated with mental health issues within certain cultures.
  • Family and Community Dynamics: The influence of family and community values on mental health.
  • Cultural Identity: Exploring and understanding their cultural background, values, and traditions.
  • Biculturalism: Balancing their cultural heritage with their experiences in the host culture.
  • Stereotypes and Prejudice: Coping with negative stereotypes and prejudice associated with their ethnicity or race.
  • Discrimination: Addressing experiences of discrimination and finding ways to cope.
  • Intergenerational Trauma: Exploring the impact of historical trauma on their family and community.
  • Racial Microaggressions: Recognizing and addressing subtle forms of racism.
  • Identity Crisis: Experiencing a sense of confusion or uncertainty about identity.
  • Self-Esteem and Body Image: Addressing issues related to self-esteem and body image within their cultural context.
  • Interracial Relationships: Navigating challenges and benefits of interracial relationships.

• Racial trauma and race-based traumatic stress: Experiencing psychological and emotional harm after witnessing or experiencing racism, discrimination, or other racially motivated events.

• Intergenerational conflict: Addressing significant differences in cultural values, beliefs, and traditions between different generations within a family or community. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, disagreements, and tension between individuals from different age groups.
• Migratory trauma: Experiencing psychological and emotional distress when having migrated from one country to another.
• Asylum, refugee, and immigration concerns: Navigating significant mental health challenges due to the traumatic experiences that may have been endured, the challenges of acculturation, and the uncertainties associated with the immigration and asylum seeking process. 
• Intersectionality concerns: Exploring how different aspects of one’s identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation) intersect and influence their experiences.

Mental health concerns regarding the above mentioned hardships can include: 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorder symptoms
• Substance use
• Isolation
• Lack of social support
• Physical health concerns
• Bullying, teasing, trauma, being a victim of violence or hate crimes
• Housing concerns
• Inequalities in access to care, education, and employment. 

 

We are here to help and are committed to providing culturally-sensitive and culturally-tailored treatments. Benefits of therapy include: 

• Improved Mental Health: Enhanced well-being and reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
• Increased Resilience: Development of coping strategies to navigate challenges and build resilience.
• Enhanced Cultural Identity: Support in exploring and affirming cultural identity.

Improved Relationships: Strengthened relationships with family, friends, and community members.

Navigating life as an LGBTQ+ individual can be both rewarding and challenging. Our LGBTQ+ affirming therapy services offer a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their identity, address unique challenges, and build resilience. Our therapists are committed to providing a non-judgmental and accepting environment where you can feel comfortable and understood.

Why Choose LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy?

• Specialized Expertise: Our therapists have experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and understand the unique challenges they face.
• Safe and Supportive Environment: A welcoming and inclusive space where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself.
• Personalized Treatment: Tailored therapy plans to address your specific needs and goals.
• Validation and Acceptance: A therapist who affirms your identity and provides unconditional support.
• Improved Mental Health: Enhanced well-being, reduced anxiety, and increased self-esteem.

Common Issues Addressed in LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy

• Coming Out: Exploring and navigating the process of coming out to family, friends, and colleagues.
• Identity Exploration: Exploring and understanding one’s sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Relationship Issues: Addressing challenges related to romantic relationships, family dynamics, and friendships.
• Internalized Homophobia: Overcoming negative beliefs and attitudes about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Discrimination and Prejudice: Coping with discrimination and prejudice in society.
• Body Image and Self-Esteem: Addressing issues related to body image and self-esteem.
• Trauma and Abuse: Coping with the impact of trauma and abuse within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Career and Education: Addressing challenges related to education, employment, and career advancement.
• Mental Health Concerns: Addressing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

Our therapists utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness techniques, to help you develop healthy coping strategies and improve your overall well-being.