Episode Details

Today, we’re tackling yet another topic that has somehow NOT made it to the podcast yet: gender-affirming assessment. Dr. addyson tucker is here to talk with me about their work with adults who are seeking gender-affirming surgery. addyson and I have a wide-ranging conversation that touches on several aspects of philosophy and practice, including…

• The history of gender-affirming assessment
• Specific strategies to break down the power differential between clinicians and clients during these assessments
• The actual process of the assessment, and components of “the letter”

Cool Things Mentioned

• WPATH SOC Version 8 (2022)
• The Galap Pledge: www.thegalap.org (mental health providers pledging to offer free or insurance-based assessments, making them accessible and reducing gatekeeping)
• If you have trans and nonbinary adult clients who could use supportive community connection that focuses on strengthening self-compassion and shame resilience, check out Trans Self-Compassion. Updates about openings, offerings, resources, & recommendations for gender, racial, & body liberation: subscribe to addyson’s newsletter or follow them on insta.  

Recommended resources for providers wanting to expand their trans and nonbinary competence: 

• Free 45-min Overview webinar: Providing MH Assessments for GAS Referral Letters by Sarah Eley via Fenway Health Training Institute 
• Home Study Webinar (12 hours + CEs): Psychological Preparation for Medical Transition (GAS) by Cadyn Cathers at the Affirmative Couch 
• Home Study Webinar (6 hours + CEs): Gender ASSET by Colt St. Amand, PhD, MD. Important: an excellent reference for complicated referrals and working with minors, though best practices for reducing gatekeeping have shifted since its release (e.g., cost of assessment, the extensiveness of the process). 
• Other recommended orgs for virtual training: Trans Training Institute, Affirmative Couch, LGBTQIA+ Health Education via Fenway Institute, and Sayftee
• Recommended reads: Clinician’s Guide to Trans-Affirming Care (Chang, Singh, & dickey), decolonizing trans/gender 101 (b.binaohan), Beyond the Gender Binary (Alok Vaid-Menon)
• Recommended listens: Making Therapy Affordable for Trans & Nonbinary People (discussion about using an economic justice rate model for working wit