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The Advice Archive

Therapists in the United States

For therapists outside of the United States, see our Therapists page.

To find therapists in your area, see https://psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/transgender/.

For help specifically finding more affordable therapists, see https://openpathcollective.org/.

 

Note: There is no such thing as a “Trans specialist” or a “Trans therapist” or a “gender therapist”. There is no qualification or degree that a therapist must have to work with us or that will easily identify therapists with a clue about Trans issues. There are only therapists who understand Trans issues and work positively with us, and the only way to identify them (without paying for a lot of sessions first) is to get recommendations from other Trans people. Therapists cannot prescribe hormones unless they are psychiatrists; you need a medical degree to be able to write prescriptions. Psychiatrists generally charge more per session and are generally not recommended for therapy, although many do offer it; you go to a psychiatrist to get a prescription for psych meds, not to get therapy.

Any therapist can write a letter. Letters to access hormones and surgery are not governed by any rules or laws; the point of them is that doctors who prescribe hormones or perform transition-related surgeries often require a letter from a therapist. Psychologists, clinical social workers, and any other kind of therapist or counselor can write you a letter to bring to your doctor/surgeon of choice. They can write the letter without ever meeting you if they want; how long you wait is entirely at their discretion. Many therapists still require you to see them about 12 times before they’ll write a letter for you. (As of 2011, the WPATH Standards of Care recommend that hormones be prescribed via informed consent. See Physicians by region to learn about informed consent. Many prescribing doctors are behind the times on that front, however, and still require a letter from a therapist.)

 

Here are the UCSF Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Non-binary People, developed by the Medical Advisory Board at the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health as well as other authors and contributors: http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/guidelines

 

Disclaimer: Listings are for information purposes only and do not constitute recommendations by T-Vox. As this wiki can be updated by third parties, T-Vox cannot be held responsible for the quality of information here. Also, all websites listed here are outside of our control; T-Vox is not responsible for their content.

 

Nationwide (phone or online)

David Baker-Hargrove
Email: david@drdavidbakerhargrove.com
Website: http://drdavidbakerhargrove.com/
Sessions via Skype. Writes letters for hormones and surgery.

Eli Budd, Ph.D.
1404 873 5517
Email: bebudd@bebuddphd.com
Website: http://bebuddphd.com/
Sessions via Skype.

Dr Carol Clark, PA
1305 891 1827
1305 773 8785
Email: counselor@drcarolclark.com
Website: https://drcarolclark.com/
Phone sessions.

Caroline Gibbs
The Transgender Institute
8080 WARD PKWY STE 400
KANSAS CITY MO 64114
1816 305 0943
Fax: 1816 237 1343
Email: caroline@transinstitute.org
Website: http://transinstitute.org/
Highly recommended. Sessions via Skype.

Kahl Counseling & Consultation
Polly Kahl, MA, LPC
2130 PENN AVE 2ND FL
WEST LAWN PA 19601
1610 478 8686
Website: http://pollykahl.com/
Polly Kahl is a licensed professional counselor experienced with general mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and expertise in sexual abuse recovery and gender issues. Counseling provided to Transgender clients and their families and significant others during all stages of gender exploration and transition. Letters provided for hormones and Transgender surgeries. Services are confidential, supportive and affordable and are provided in person in Polly’s West Lawn office, over the telephone, or online via Skype.

Mike Langlois, LICSW
872 MASSACHUSETTS AVE STE 2-1
CAMBRIDGE MA 02139-3072
Confidential Voicemail: 1617 776 3409
Fax: 1617 453 5058
Email: mike@mikelanglois.com
Website: http://mikelanglois.com/
Offers online therapy as well as in-person therapy. Works with adults, teens, and children.

Melissa Leonhardt, MA LPC
Website: http://brandnewdaycounseling.com/
Email: brandnewdaycounseling@gmail.com
Licensed therapist in North Carolina. Offers online counseling to anyone in the United States, using a secure chat to ensure confidentiality. $40 per online session, $50 per in-person session at her office in North Carolina. Specials available. NC Medicaid accepted.

Dr David J. MacIntyre, Psy.D., LPC
1201 CALLON ST
WAUSAU WI 54401
1715 845 5493
Email: drmaccompass@gmail.com
Website: http://compasscounsels.com
Sessions via Skype.

Michele O’Mara LCSW
1317 517 0065
Email: michele@micheleomara.com
Website: http://micheleomara.com/
Couples counseling. Sessions via Skype.

Trey Polesky, MSW, LSW
2910 HARRIS ST
​EUREKA CA 95503
707-840-5511 call or text
Email: trey.polesky@gmail.com
Website: http://treypolesky.com/
Master’s level licensed social worker and Trans man in private practice specializing in Trans and LGBQ issues. Offers in-office as well as online therapy via Skype for those who live out of the area. Reduced rates are available based on income and some insurance accepted. Contact for details or to schedule an appointment.