5 Ways a Sex Therapist Can Help the Transgender Individual
Transgendered people need extra TLC. They usually have to struggle to understand themselves about something most everyone takes for granted, our gender or biological sex. After the initial challenge, they have more to meet, such as making decisions about treatment and coming out. The process can be confusing and, quite frankly, overwhelming.
Sex therapists are uniquely positioned to help the transgender population. To become AASECT certified, we are required to take coursework in recognizing issues related to gender. We also do additional reading and attend media presentations to stay current in related issues, such as laws in the workplace or changes in healthcare.
Sex therapists can help in more than five ways, of course, but here are some reasons to seek out our help especially:
1. We are nonjudgmental. If ever there was a group of psychotherapists who withhold judgment, it has to be sex therapists! People come in and tell us about their inner most turmoil, things they have kept secret from anyone because of embarrassment. Whatever we hear, we are trained to listen with compassion and genuine caring.
2. We will help you create treatment goals. People sometimes rush into treatment without thinking about the consequences. One man, for example, wanted surgery ASAP without having tried hormone therapy. Surgery may ultimately be the right choice, but once we helped him think it through he realized that at this time in his life he needed to retain his male genitalia and make other changes. (Please excuse the use of male pronouns, we have a lot of folks reading this blog and want it to be clear to the general public.)
3. We will help you get support. Some people have fabulous support from their family members, which can be crucial to a satisfactory transition. Others have very little and are even harshly judged. We can help you find the support communities you need, and be there for you while you establish yourself with new friends.
4. We can get you through transitions in the workplace or school. We know the steps that most trans individuals take to change sex. We also know what employees must do, and cannot do. We’ll be there for you through the process.
5. We can help you with emotional changes that may occur. For better or worse, there are sometimes emotional changes caused by hormones. If there is a lot of stress that comes along with the transition process, it can make such changes more difficult to weather. We can help you cope and stay emotionally strong.
Please know that although you may be in crisis, you are not alone.