As a trans psychologist and member of WPATH (the World Professional Organization for Transgender Health), I think it is vital that trans people (including non-binary folks) have access to gender affirming medical care, including surgical options. Currently, in order to access surgery, 1 or 2 letters (depending on the type of surgery) of support from licensed mental health professionals are required by surgeons and insurance companies. I see my role in this process as an advocate for trans clients in addition to evaluating surgical preparedness. I offer assessments in order to write a letter of support to give to your surgeon and insurance company. If you are also interested in gender affirming ongoing therapy, please see my therapy section. Note: you do not have to be in therapy with me in order for me to do an assessment.

Please be aware: I only work with adults (18+) and am only able to see clients physically located in Oregon or Illinois due to state licensing restrictions. If you are looking for a letter of support in a different state, please visit GALAP’s directory.

My Approach to Writing Letters of Support

I use the WPATH Standards of Care as flexible clinical guidelines, as well as your surgeon and your insurance company’s policies to make sure you meet criteria for surgery, which includes making sure you understand the specific procedure you are interested in, as well as doing a mental health diagnostic assessment. While I definitely don’t believe being trans is a mental illness, a diagnosis of gender dysphoria is a requirement for surgery. I understand how systemic and individual transphobia has created widespread fear and trauma for our community, and affected trans’ folks trust in the mental health field. That can make it difficult to want to talk to a psychologist about gender. I aim to make this experience as affirming and trauma informed as possible, with the goal of supporting your transition.

We’ll start with a brief free phone consultation to talk about your goals and I’ll ask a few questions to make sure you meet the basic requirements for your particular surgery. If you don’t, I’ll let you know and we won’t schedule anything further at that time and I’ll help connect you with resources if you need them. If we do schedule, we’ll meet for an assessment (usually between 1-3 meetings) in order for me to gather enough information to provide a diagnosis and evaluate your preparedness for surgery. I believe in the power of collaboration and community, and am happy to consult with other folks (primary care, HRT providers, surgeons, support people for aftercare and surgical recovery, therapists, etc.) in order to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page and can best care for you before surgery and as you recover. I am also happy to help connect you with other trans community resources to build your support network.

Insurance and Fees

I am in network with PacificSource and offer self-pay options for gender affirming surgery assessments for clients not in network with Pacificsource. In keeping with my social justice values, I offer a pay what you can sliding scale model for clients without insurance access or financial means to pay my self-pay fee and who experience multiple areas of marginalization in the world. BIPOC, folks with disabilities, and working class folks are especially welcome to reach out and discuss availability.

Systemic Work

I believe that I can best support the trans community by using my privilege as a mental health professional to write letters necessary for surgery. However, I think we need to work systemically towards reducing barriers to accessing care, and training medical and mental health professionals to be trans knowledgeable and gender affirming. I routinely present at conferences on trans mental health and provide workshops and consultation for professionals.