Gender Identity

Gender Dysphoria is characterized by an inconsistency between the gender a person identifies as and his/her/their physical gender. People with gender dysphoria are typically referred to as transsexual or transgender. Some common signs of a gender dysphoria include cross-dressing, a feeling of being in the wrong body and a desire to live as a person of the opposite sex. Additionally, in children, gender dysphoria can manifest itself as feelings of disgust with their own genitals and a certainty that they will grow up to be the opposite sex. Many people treat gender dysphoria by physically modifying their bodies through surgery so that they better match their gender identities. Children and adults with gender dysphoria face an increased risk for depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, suicidality, bullying and stress. A mental health professional can help with these and other challenging aspects of gender dysphoria.

Local experts in Gender Identity

Ajay Dheer (He/They)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy

My desire to work with gender identity was a critical component to my inspiration in becoming a sex therapist. I am passionate about delivering gender affirming care at all stages of exploration and/or transition.

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Dr. Chandra Mundon (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

Psy.D.

I have extensive experience providing gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse individuals. This includes supportive therapy for children, adolescents, and adults who are in the early stages of exploring/questioning their gender identity, as well as assessment and letter-writing for clients pursuing hormones and/or surgery

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Elizabeth Sokolowski, PhD (She/They)

Clinical Psychologist

PhD

I am a genderfluid and queer identified psychologist with lived experiences of being queer within multiple climates within the United States. I completed the WPATH Global Education Institute's Foundations Course training online in 2021. I have experience providing assessments and letters of support for gender-affirming medical care.

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Dasia Star (she/they)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy

As a nonbinary therapist, supporting folx in exploring their gender identity is some of the most rewarding work that I do. I want you to feel empowered to show up as your whole self, regardless of the context. Let's work together to unpack the blocks to expressing yourself more fully. For NB, trans, and gender fluid folx seeking gender affirming surgery, I am happy to offer you a letter writing session. Gender affirming care should be a human right.

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Gary Conachan III (he/him)

Professional Counselor Associate

MS, NCC

As a cisgender, gay, queer person, I've had my own experiences around navigating gender identity. I'm passionate about helping folx find supportive, gender-affirming care. Recognizing the limits of my experience and knowledge, I seek to learn what I don't know and stay up-to-date on the latest research regarding trans-affirming care.

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Sam Skye (he/him)

Licensed Professional Counselor

ATR, LPC

As a transgender clinician, I have first-person understanding of the impact a person's identity can have on their lives and families. I am a parent, a husband, and an artist. I believe strongly that every person deserves to live healthy and full lives as their authentic selves. I have experience working with transgender and gender non-conforming children, teens, and adults.

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Katya Stark (She/They)

Professional Counselor Associate

MS, NCC

I provide affirming space to explore sexuality and gender identity and to process how that may be implicated in relationships with family, friends, intimate partner violence, and sexual trauma. I enjoy working with genderqueer, non-binary, gender-fluid, and gender-nonconforming folks and provide letters to support gender-affirming related care access.

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Healing Tides Counseling

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Gender affirming care, gender consult and support letters.

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Luke Allen (he/him)

Clinical Psychologist

PhD

My experience working with transgender individuals includes over 7 years of experience. I received training conducting evaluations within a multidisciplinary transgender health clinic. I am an active member of World Professional Association for Transition Health (WPATH) and a former WPATH board member. I am a WPATH Standards of Care 7 (SOC7) Certified Member and a WPATH SOC7 Certified Mentor and co-author of the Standards of Care 8.

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Jennifer Rocks, MA, MS, PsyD (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

MA, MS, PsyD

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”~Lilla Watson. Your story matters. We'll explore your experience and needs collaboratively and compassionately. As a co-conspiritor, I honor your process-- YOU are the expert on YOU! WPATH standards of care are used in therapy and letter writing.

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Morgan Fitz Gibbon (she/her)

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

OR #T1128

I have been working with clients with Gender Dysphoria for a decade. I have attended several specialized trainings for working with gender identity issues before and during that time. I have experience supporting individuals and families who are navigating the transition process and I'm able to write letters in support of your process as needed.

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Ryja (Rylan Jay) Testa (he/him)

Clinical Psychologist

PhD; Psychologist Licensed in OR and CA

-Former Assistant Professor whose research and teaching focused on Gender Minority Stress and Resilience. -Published over 15 peer-reviewed research articles on this topic. -Author of The Gender Quest Workbook (2015) -Completed Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic and Center for LGBT Evidence-Based Applied Research, Palo Alto University -Prior Program Manager of the Gender Identities Program; Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA -Former Volunteer for The Trevor Project

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Jack Marvin (She/They)

Clinical Social Work Associate

MSW, CSWA

Our experiences of gender, especially for queer, trans, and non-binary folks, are most often complicated by the world and communities around us. I work to remove barriers to obtaining gender-affirming care and support gender-expansive clients in self-love and discovery in the process of understanding our gender(ed/less) experience. I look forward to witnessing and supporting you on this often wonderful, sometimes painful, nearly always rewarding process of unearthing your most authentic self!

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Saren Craig (They/Them)

Licensed Professional Counselor

M.A. Counseling and Guidance

I am an LGBTQ+ affirming provider and believe that each person should be able to make choices for their own body, and experience in this world. I write letters of support for those seeking gender affirming care.

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Sarah Ellenwood (she/her)

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

LPC, LMFT

I work with all genders and provide trans-competent care to clients who require this special training. I provide a non-judgmental space for exploration and to discuss thoughts and feeling about social and/or medical transitions. If you are needing a trans-affirming therapist for relational therapy or a different clinical focus, I may be able to help.

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Terra Anderson (they/them)

Somatic Practitioner

MA, R-DMT

I've spent years supporting my clients to come more deeply into their true expression. I love working in this space, helping people discover their truth, explore gender expression, come to greater peace within themselves, and navigate transitions.

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Jaxon Shaffer (they/them)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

MA

Gender identity and gender exploration is the main focus of my work. I have experience working with children, teens and adults who are questioning their gender, going through gender transitioning, or just needing a safe space to discuss life as a gender non-conforming person. I have received academic training on working with gender non-conforming folks as well as my personal life experience.

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Katie Emard (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, NCC, QMHP, LPC

I have worked with issues surrounding gender identity for the past three years. I have supported clients through gender affirmation surgery and have experience writing letters for transition surgery.

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Emaline Friedman (she/her)

Professional Counselor Associate

MA, PhD, LPCA

I work with clients exploring their gender identities and working on questions about their self-image and embodiment. I believe gender is not secondary to personality, but pervades how we think, act, love, and operate in the social order.

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Kendyl Watts

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I am deeply sensitive to the unrelenting challenges faced by those who have been assigned a gender that conflicts with their lived experience. I consider it a privilege to support clients in bridging this conflict to whatever extent they choose, from explorations of identity and experiences through social and medical transitions.

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Colin Wolf (he/him)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, LPC

Over 10 years of experience working with trans and non-binary clients, providing transition related care and general life support beyond identity. WPATH-informed.

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Jen Yerty (She/They)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC, CADC I

I specialize in LGBTQ populations, including trans, non gender-conforming, and poly populations. I consider it an honor to be trusted by so many in this community. I have specialized training in working with LGBTQ populations, especially trans, and continue to update my training.

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Beth Ann AKA BA Short LCAT, ATR-BC (they/them)

Art Therapist

LCAT

Gender expression is a passion of mine. I have been honored to work with individuals on their journey in living their truth and feeling safe to do so. I also support parents looking for resources while they may have a child transitioning. I also worked on a project with 29 brave individuals honoring their journey in gender expression. http://bethannshort.com/gendersummit.html

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Amelia Mackle MSEd LPC RYT

Licensed Professional Counselor

I have experience working with teens and young adults in exploring gender identity. I also provide readiness evaluations for those seeking medical transitions.

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Leslie Yeargers (she/her)

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

LPC, LMFT, Certified Sex Informed Couples Counselor

Being transgender or non-binary presents a unique set of personal and social challenges. Simply stated, our society has not caught up with what it means to identify as a gender other than the one you were assigned at birth. When a family member transitions, it can put a strain on family dynamics. To that end, I support all family members in the transitioning process to build understanding and deepen familty connection.

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Molz Wirtz-Wold (they/them)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, LMHC, LPC

Most of my clients are transgender and/or non-binary. I have taught masters level classes for other therapists on how to support clients around gender, and helping people explore their own gender identity is one of my favorite parts of being a therapist.

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Liz Ward (they/them)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Gender is a complex and nuanced spectrum of experience. It is different for everyone, and worth examining to understand better. Exploration of gender identity is for everyone - you don't have to be transgender to explore your gender identity!

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Micah Hala

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

As a queer identified, non-binary person, it is important to me to offer gender affirming therapy to those navigating their gender identity and are exploring their gender. I have experience with working with young adults as well as adults who are questioning their gender, going through gender transition or those who simply need a safe and supportive space to talk about life as a trans, gender non-confirming person. My experience includes academic training as well as my personal experience.

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Hunter Vaughn (He/Him)

Clinical Psychologist

PsyD

I continuously increase my knowledge and skills for helping clients address Gender Dysphoria. I'm well versed in the WPATH & the emerging 'Informed Consent' standards of care, as well as associated psycho-social challenges (e.g., social anxiety) experienced by transgender and gender-queer people. I help clients to embrace their identities through coming out, social and medical transition, & more.

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Melissa Ellsworth

Clinical Psychologist

Ph.D.

I specialize in all aspects of gender identity exploration and transitioning, including coping with dysphoria, challenges in relationships, body image, sexual intimacy, family dynamics, workplace and school challenges and supporting mental health wellness. I also provide support around decision-making processes with gender-affirming medical care and provide letters of support for these interventions. My goal is to help clients live authentically and embrace their true selves.

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Sylas Veit (he/him)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy

Whether you're exploring your gender identity for the first time, need support coming out, or looking for referrals for gender affirming medical care, I can help! My practice focuses on queer, trans and non-binary people, including youth ages 14+. I'm competent at helping clients with sexual and relational concerns (including non-monogamy, kink and BDSM) as well as gender identity and expression. I am a non-binary gender therapist with lived experience and interest in unique identities.

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Sasha Strong (they/them)

Licensed Professional Counselor

PhD, LPC

Do you need a letter, or support on your gender journey? You've come to the right place. I identify as nonbinary/genderqueer, and I understand the complexities of gender and transition. I've completed professional training in gender-affirmative care and I have experience working with binary trans, non-binary, agender, and other gender-diverse folks. I often write letters for gender-affirming procedures in a single session, and I offer free or reduced-fee letters for BIPOC folks.

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Andrea Mize (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I am an identity-affirming clinician for all gender identities. I have had a lot of experience with supporting nonbinary, genderqueer and gendervoid folks. I offer therapy to support those who are gender-questioning as well as those who have a trans history or gender nonconforming identity that is not a focus of therapy, and want someone who understands how this part of identity affects how they interact with the world and how the world responds to them.

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Lilyan Smith-Moore, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Maybe that feeling that something doesn't feel right with your gender has been knocking at your brain for awhile? I'm here to help. About 75% of my clients come to me with the primary presenting difficultly of gender dysphoria. I've worked with hundreds of transgender and gender variant people since 2015. I am also qualified to write letters of recommendation for gender-affirming surgeries.

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Tiran Sahar (they/them)

Professional Counselor Associate

Professional Counselor Associate

I am trained in LGBTQIA+ related concerns, and have been educated by past experiences working as a trans counselor with gender diverse clients and supervisors.

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Nicole Kammerlocher (she/her/hers)

Professional Counselor Associate

As a queer person, it is important to me to create space in my practice to serve my community. Gender is a unique and complicated space, and no two people's process around their gender identity will look the same. Throughout my training, I have focused on working to apply what I have learned to help people navigate gender.

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Maria Bonacci (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I am a queer, genderqueer person. I have worked in various roles alongside trans and non-binary people to provide therapy, advocacy, and documentation/letters for surgery.

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Connective Therapy Collective

Licensed Professional Counselor

LMFT, LCSW, LMFTI, CSWA, QMHA

Gender expansive work, honoring all identities including trans folks, non-binary, gender non-conforming.

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Patrick Nagel (He/Him)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS LPC

I have worked with trans and non-conforming folks for nearly a decade. I have worked with people in all stages of transition and exploration. I have years of experience in writing letters and helping clients pursue gender affirming care.

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Stacy Sheffler (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

Navigating our gender identity can be layered with confusion, influenced thoughts or feelings from society, parents, or ourselves. Therapy can aid in navigating to understanding your gender identity to feel more at ease and comfortable while you become the self you want to be.

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Sarah Blaszczak, M.A, LMFT (She, her, hers)

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

LMFT T1554

Ideas of gender are forced upon us before we are even born. It is a force than can be incredibly difficult to overcome and to stay attuned to oneself within. It is important to have people and spaces we can explore being ourselves with in a safe and supportive way. Like the definition of gender itself, I help you decide your own path, labels and lack of labels.

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Larissa Kaul

Somatic Practitioner

I identify as a non-binary or genderqueer individual, and am connected to many different queer and trans communities.

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McKenzie Brock (she/they)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

I enjoy supporting people in gender identity exploration from a lived experience and queer perspective. I offer letter writing services for trans-affirming care.

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