Seeking treatment for gender dysphoria can be a difficult journey, but it’s a great relief to finally live your authentic life. Gender-affirming care requires a combination of mental and physical health practitioners working together to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient. Whether you are seeking gender-affirming care for yourself or your child, here are three steps to help you get started.
Talk With Peers
The first step in seeking gender-affirming care is to talk with your peers in the LGBT community. Other people who have already started treatment are a great resource for finding welcoming providers and helping with your social transition. If you are seeking care for a child, look for support groups where you can connect with other parents of transgender children.
Find Providers for Transition Care
Unfortunately, not every practice is willing or able to provide gender-affirming care. It’s important to seek out LGBT-friendly providers when choosing a primary doctor or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Gay Chicago IL. When it comes to transition-related treatment like hormone therapy and surgery, you may have to travel to another state or country to find the best care.
Update Your Documents
An important step in your transition is updating personal documents like your driver’s license, passport and birth certificate to list your appropriate gender and remove your dead name. You may need to provide statements from healthcare providers like your psychiatric nurse practitioner for transgender in Chicago, IL.
