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Find a Trans-empowering counsellor in the UK
Therapy/Counselling
In some countries, hormones and surgeries are available without barriers that target trans individuals; this includes not requiring psychological screening that isn't equally required of other mentally sane and competent patients.
In the UK, to gain access to hormones and surgeries associated with gender affirmation through the NHS (the national public health system in the UK), you will need formal written approval from a therapist, even though many of the same surgeries are available to other individuals without any therapy requirement. Unlike other forms of discrimination in the provision of goods and services, which are illegal in the UK, this kind of discrimination in the provision of medical services is still legal and routine.
Unfortunately, many (but not all!) UK therapists view people of trans experience as having ‘Gender Identity Disorder’ (sic) (GID)- an official diagnosis is typically required before they will give written approval for hormones and surgery. Some therapists who do not believe in GID will use a diagnosis to help you get hormones and surgery if they feel there is no other way.
Of course, your gender identity is natural and not a disorder, no matter what ignorant or uninformed care providers may tell you. Having a gender identity that differs from the one you were assigned is ‘normal’ even though it isn’t ‘the norm’. There is nothing wrong with being YOU!
Recent psychological studies suggest that the ‘disorder’ model is harmful to trans individuals and promotes dangerous stereotypes. In fact, many of the self-titled ‘gender specialists’ who promote the false belief that affirmed gender identities constitute psychiatric disorders could be said to have ‘Gender Specialist Identity Disorder'- the false belief that they are specialists in someone else’s gender identity. Even therapists who market themselves as ‘LGBT’-friendly often have little experience or comfort with trans clients.
While standard UK options for obtaining medical options for gender affirmation force require you to deal with this discriminatory system, some therapists do their best within the existing limitations to respect you and not treat you as ‘disordered’.
Here are some trans-empowering UK therapists:
Tina Livingstone http://www.positive1.belland.org.uk/ (Tina is also an intersex ally and involved in intersex activism.)
Lyndsey Moon http://www.pinktherapy.com/lyndsey.moon.htm
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