If someone questions their gender identity, they may experience stigma from their peers and society around them, body dysmorphia, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Gender identity is different than anatomical sex. Anatomical sex has to do with the biology a person is born with — genitals, chromosomes, and hormones. Gender identity is someone’s sense of who they are — man, woman, non-binary, or something else entirely.
Therapy for gender identity concerns involves validating any questions the person has. It’s difficult to question gender identity in a world structured in a gender binary system, where usually only “man” and “woman” are accepted.
Available Treatment Options
Therapist interventions involve an empathetic, safe space for people to explore themselves, develop social and community supports, work to discover self-esteem and a sense of identity, address identity concerns, and create positive ways to cope with the stress and emotions that arise.
Therapists Who Specialize in Helping Those Who Struggle With Gender Identity
Janan Braley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who graduated with her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Framingham State University. Prior to receiving her masters degree Janan worked with individuals with chronic mental illness, who also had a history of fire setting. Janan has experience working with early childhood, at risk youth, individuals with substance abuse disorders, and...
Maureen Sullivan (MS, MPH, MA, LMHC) was born and raised in the Boston area but has lived, worked and traveled extensively. After graduating from Boston College, Maureen joined the Peace Corps and served in West Africa. This pivotal life decision led to graduate work at the London School of Economics, work in the Federated States of Micronesia and American Samoa as well as continued studies...
I specialize in working with individuals experiencing Trauma or other Trauma related disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (dual diagnosis). Therapy is a way of exploring current struggles and past issues to set us up for a successful future and subsequently enrich life. By integrating the mind, body, and spirit, my goal is to help others reach their individual...
Successfully managing a life transition from high school to college. Opening up a relationship or closing one that needs reassessing. Gender identity discovery and perhaps navigating the medical component for transition. Making a career change that includes risks but healthier potential. Support to families of clients seeking to better themselves. I've been helping people of all ages discover...
I specialize in working with adults, emerging adults and older adolescents from diverse racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I have an MS in Counseling from the University of Vermont, and a background in higher education. As a result, I bring to my practice both deep knowledge about many socio-cultural factors and power dynamics that can profoundly affect a person's lived experiences, as we...
I am a Licensed Graduate Social Worker serving adolescents, adults, and couples, experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, effects of past trauma, issues related to gender and/or sexuality, life transitions, and challenges within interpersonal relationships. I utilize a variety of modalities to inform my approach, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based skills,...
To schedule your first visit with me, please use this online scheduling link - (https://portal.geneticforesight.com/book) --- Each person has a unique reason for being in therapy, and I am here to help each person find those reasons for themselves. Mental health is the lens through which you will be able to see yourself and the world in a clearer light. I recognize that you have been struggling...
I’m here to support you, and-or your family on your journey towards healing and self-discovery. I’m a culturally sensitive licensed MFTI in the Las Vegas area. I specialize and enjoy in working with adolescent issues such as social anxiety, harmful behaviors, low self-esteem.
