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Gender affirmation is not a linear, one-size-fits-all, process, and is actually a term describing the range of actions and possibilities available to trans and gender-neutral folks. The journey toward living as your authentic gendered self is one that is personal, individualized, and interventions like gender confirming surgery largely depend on your readiness for this permanent change.
Gender affirming care is still relatively new, and so someone who is considering gender confirming procedures may feel nervous about where to begin or where to get the letter they need. Here at Aspire Neuropsychological Services in Walnut Creek, we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to affirm their identity, and to do so in ways which empower and align with who they are. We are qualified to write letters for gender confirming surgery for those in Walnut Creek or elsewhere in the state. If you or a loved one is considering where to begin with gender confirming surgery or care, continue reading to learn how a gender confirming letter may help.
We understand gender to be a part of our identity that is largely socialized since birth. For centuries, our gender socialization has been primarily binary: girl or boy. During school years, girls were given dolls and boys were given trucks. Boys were put in sports and girls were placed in dance. Girls received messages of playing nice and boys received messages about being tough and rambunctious. The messages we receive from others, especially as children, have a great impact on who we understand ourselves to be in the world.
Gender is thought to have two parts: first, the internal recognition of one’s identity as a man, woman, both, or neither. Then, there is the expression of one’s gender identity. Sometimes, the way a person feels on the inside doesn’t match the way they have been socialized as a certain gender. Feeling distress about this type of incongruence between one’s gender identity and sex is referred to as gender dysphoria.
Trans, non-binary, and some members of the LGBTQ+ community often face barriers to getting care that is tailored to their needs. Those who identify as cis-gender (meaning, the gender they identify as matches the sex they were born with) typically have easier access to medical care. Cis-gender folks don’t usually worry about being called the right name or pronoun; they can trust that a medical doctor will not hold biases that cause mistrust and discomfort; they can rely on proper prescriptions by their doctor that meet their holistic identity; and they can trust that the doctor may offer appropriate referrals when necessary, such as co-occurring mental health treatment. They aren’t intimidated by the process of seeking medical attention and care. For the LGBTQ+ community, especially for trans and non-binary folks, this is rarely their same experience.
There are times when being out in the world can feel very intimidating for those who identify this way. Finding people and communities who offer supportive spaces where you can express your full personhood is the kind of care you deserve. Many individuals seek out gender affirming interventions such as taking hormones and undergoing gender confirmation surgery.
Gender affirming care is essentially care that is aligned with the patient’s gender identity, gender expression, and personal needs. Gender affirming care may span medical and surgical, mental health, psychiatric, and non-medical types of treatment and interventions. Research has shown that gender affirming care positively impacts mental health for non-binary and trans youth. Remarkably, according to the Trevor Project, as high as 50% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in 2021. This statistic isn’t meant to incite fear, but it speaks to the importance of adequate training for healthcare professionals as well as helpful support for mental health.
Gender affirming care is essentially care that is aligned with the patient’s gender identity, gender expression, and personal needs. Gender affirming care may span medical and surgical, mental health, psychiatric, and non-medical types of treatment and interventions. Research has shown that gender affirming care positively impacts mental health for non-binary and trans youth. Remarkably, according to the Trevor Project, as high as 50% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in 2021. This statistic isn’t meant to incite fear, but it speaks to the importance of adequate training for healthcare professionals as well as helpful support for mental health.
Due to misses in the medical system, a mental health professional is generally the first place to go for a gender confirming letter. A gender confirming letter is a professional letter, from a mental health professional, which affirms a person’s gender identity and their process of gender affirmation. There are times when a transgender person may want to further commit to their gender identity, and will desire to fully integrate into society as that gender. Hormone replacement therapy, hormone blockers, reassignment surgery, cosmetic enhancements, and other procedures may require a medical letter to access these types of care.
If you are interested in a gender confirming letter for yourself or a loved one, reach out to our team today. One of our mental health providers, who are able to assess and assist you, will be able to construct your letter of referral.