Gender is a deeply personal aspect of an individual's identity, and there are countless expressions and stages along the gender journey, with a variety of approaches to transition. Your unique perspective and self-understanding are essential in this process, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you need help at any point in your journey, I offer a range of assessment and consultation services for gender-diverse individuals and families. With specialized training in gender assessment, I am equipped to provide support throughout your process. Many gender-affirming interventions require a psychological or mental health assessment to gain approval from medical professionals or courts. Therefore, my practice offers Gender-Affirming Mental Health Assessments for those seeking these interventions. Please take a moment to review the information below to learn more about my services and approach.

Important terms:

Gender Affirmation: Being recognized and supported in one’s true gender identity and expression.

Gender Identity: Personal and internal sense of having a particular gender that may be the same or different than one's birth-assigned sex.

Birth-Assigned Sex: Label given at birth based on medical factors like hormones, chromosomes, and genitalia. When gender identity aligns with birth-assigned sex, it's called being cisgender.

Gender Identity Terms: Transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, transfeminine, transmasculine, demiboy, demigirl, gender nonconforming, agender, masculine presenting, feminine presenting, bigender, butch, boi, masculine-of-center, feminine-of-center, femme, masc., female to male, male to female, multi-gender, pangender, polygender, third gender, two-spirit, gender neutral, or gender questioning.

Gender Expression: The way someone expresses their gender externally, through behavior, mannerisms, interests, physical characteristics, or appearance.

Gender Dysphoria: Feeling of discomfort or distress that can occur when gender identity differs from birth-assigned sex.

Gender Euphoria: Feeling of comfort or joy when thinking about one’s true gender identity.

• Although not everyone with a gender variant identity experiences these emotions, gender dysphoria and/or euphoria are often encountered by individuals with gender identities that do not align with their birth-assigned sex.

Personal Gender Pronouns: Words that someone uses to refer to themselves, such as he/him, she/her, they/them, ze/zir, ve/vir, and per.

• Awareness that gender identity can be distinct from one’s external presentation and it is important not to assume someone’s gender identity based on their appearance.