Gender Affirmative Therapy
Compassionate care for gender-expansive folx and their people.
Embracing your true self is a process.
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Are you or someone you love discovering new elements of gender identity or expression?
Are you seeking to explore what steps to take toward living more in alignment with your gender identity?
Do you love someone who is navigating gender “transition” and feel unsure of how to support them and work through your own feelings?
Wherever you and your family are during this transformative time, we are committed to providing a welcoming and safe space as you navigate your path.
We provide space to…
Explore your gender identity (or identities) and what it means for you.
Re-imagine and practice authentic self-expression.
Grieve and process issues related to transphobia, isolation, and marginalization.
Bolster self-esteem and self-acceptance.
Gain support for accessing gender-affirming healthcare practices (if relevant to your journey).
Sensitively explore any shifts in sexual expression, sexual interest, and/or dating.
Navigate challenging conversations with others about identity and what you need to feel seen.
Break free from any restrictive labels, narratives, and boxes that have not felt affirming.
Address emotions and questions regarding a loved one’s gender journey.
“We have been taught to fear the very things that have the potential to set us free.”
-Alok Vaid-Menon
Our Gender-Affirming Approach
We have had the privilege of working with many individuals and families in the transgender and gender-diverse communities. As a result of our experience and training, we approach gender identity and transition work with the understanding that each person’s journey with gender is unique and valid.
For the trans* and gender-expansive community
Despite what cis-normative cultural values have taught many of us, we firmly believe that concerns surrounding gender identity are not illnesses needing a diagnosis. We recognize that the distress many trans individuals face stems from societal pressures, discrimination, systems of oppression, and rigid expectations about gender rather than internal pathology. Our commitment is to provide support that not only acknowledges these challenges but actively works to create a more inclusive and affirming environment.
We adhere to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) standards when providing letters of support for those seeking gender-affirming healthcare. We acknowledge, however, that the requirement to obtain a letter from a therapist can feel frustrating, exclusionary, and unjust. We work diligently to empower our clients through this process and honor any feelings that may arise as a result of how our medical system disrupts accessibility to care.
For loved ones of trans* and gender-expansive individuals
We recognize that witnessing a partner, child, sibling, or parent explore gender may elicit any number of reactions including but not limited to feelings of support, protectiveness, confusion, grief, relief, and excitement. It is not uncommon to feel a strong desire to be an ally at the same time as experiencing distress and discomfort with seeing your loved one express themself in a new way. It is our mission to help partners and family members feel heard and able to process their emotional experiences so that they may be able to maintain connection and engage supportively with their trans or gender-expansive loved ones. With AASECT Certification in Sexuality Education and Sex Therapy, we are prepared to help partners and families understand more about different elements of gender transition and identity.
Oh! —and if you’re wondering why we use the term, “gender expansive:” this term is an inclusive term that refers to individuals whose gender identity or expression goes beyond traditional binary notions of gender. This can encompass a wide range of identities, including non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, and more. Quite literally, we’re thinking more expansively about gender beyond the concepts of “man” or “woman.”
Support group for partners
This is a group for partners of trans*, non-binary, and/or gender-expansive folx. In this group, members will have a space to reflect and support one another as they navigate changes in their relationships and self. Topics include sexual intimacy, the transition process, allyship, family impact, and more!
