Gender Services for Adults

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Support & Advocacy

The general goal of psychotherapy is to find ways to maximize one’s overall psychological well-being, quality of life, and self-fulfillment and relieve distress. Psychotherapy is not intended to alter a person’s gender identity; rather, psychotherapy can help a person explore various aspects of their gender, find satisfying and enlivening ways to express their gender, and have success and fulfillment in their relationships, education, and work.

gender

Support for Family, Spouses, and Loved Ones

Caring for yourself and your loved one

Decisions about changes in gender role and medical interventions for gender dysphoria have implications for not only individuals, but also their loved ones and families. Clinicians at the practice can provide support, counselling, and guidance to partners, family members, and others whose loved ones are exploring gender transition.

Assessment & Advocacy

Removing barriers and providing support

For those undergoing gender transition, we can assist in providing letters of support or advocacy to assist with the following:

  1. Readiness for Hormone Therapy  (Note: This is not always mandatory unless a G.P. requires a collaborative support letter from a psychologist or registered psychotherapist);
  2. Support letters for sex designation change on government documents (driver’s license, passport, etc.);
  3. Advocacy letters for educational institutions or employers;
  4. Referral to other treating practitioners (endocrinologists, family physicians who prescribe hormones, advocacy groups, support groups);
  5. Assessment for OHIP-funded gender confirmation surgery.
transgender

Our Experienced Clinicians

Dr. Lesley Miller

Practice Director, Neuropsychologist & Clinical Psychologist - All Locations & Online

Dr. Carol-Anne Hendry

Psychologist (Children, Teens, Adults) - Burlington & Online

Dr. Samantha Daniel

Psychologist (Adults) - Burlington & Online

Dr. Lee-Anne Gray

Psychologist (Adults) - St. Catharines & Online

Jeffrey Sica, M.Sc.

Registered Psychotherapist (Teens, Adults) - St. Catharines & Online

Services at the practice are provided in accordance with the following Professional Guidelines, Policies, and Standards of Practice:

  1. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People, 8th Version (WPATH SOC)
  2. Sherbourne Health Centre’s Guidelines for Gender-Affirming Primary Care with Trans and Non-Binary Patients (2019)
  3. American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People
  4. American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons
  5. Canadian Psychological Association’s Policy Statement on Gender Identity in Adolescents and Adults