Transgender Counseling and Letter Recommending Hormone Replacement Therapy

How a counselor, therapist, diagnostician or psychologist provides professional care to transgender individuals who seek assistance in gender reassignment.

A qualified counselor, therapist, diagnostician or psychologist may be able to provide professional care to transgender individuals who seek professional assistance. A letter from a qualified mental health care professional may be required to begin hormone treatment.
Counseling for transgender individuals is often required before a physician will consent to provide hormone replacement therapy. Likewise, counseling may be required by a plastic surgeon for them to agree to perform sexual reassignment surgery. The goal of transgender counseling is to provide guidance and advice to individuals who have conflicts with their gender identity. The transgender counseling process ensures that the client has an understanding of the formal commitment that is necessary to proceed with the FTM transition process. In addition, therapists who specialize in transgender identity issues seek to ensure that the clients decision to transition is based upon a solid foundation and that transitioning will be beneficial.

Standards of Care

Counselors may utilize the Standards of Care (SOC). The Standards of Care provide clinical guidance to healthcare professionals. These guidelines are flexible and be tailored uniquely to each client.
Once a counselor has found that you are mentally prepared to begin HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), you will receive two letters. One letter will be a recommendation for hormones. The other letter will be for surgery. Sometimes therapists combine the letters into one. The Standards of Care are helpful to look over because they are the standard guidelines professionals follow for sexual transition:
The minimum amount of therapy required by these standards is 3 months. Keep in mind that they are merely guidelines, but they do seem to be adhered to fairly strictly. The therapists judgments stem from your mental readiness to start transitioning. It is the therapists responsibility to make sure that you are emotionally ready to take on such a huge endeavor. She/He needs, among other things, will make sure that:

Learn more about the Standards of Care.

The Cost of Transgender Counseling

The price of counseling differs drastically from one therapist to another. The cheapest routes will include community counseling clinics and programs for the financially disadvantaged. Many therapists work on a sliding scale based on income. Also, check with your insurance provider to learn about their mental health coverage.

Age Restrictions

There is no minimum age that is required to begin the female to male gender reassignment process. However, minors must have consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Finding a therapist who is familiar with Gender Identity Disorder and/or the female to male identity

In order to find a therapist that is experienced with transgender patients: