Psychosocial support in gender transition
Support objectives:
Exploring gender identity: Clarifying or debunking questions about gender identity, exploring possibilities for gender expression, and developing a better understanding of oneself.
Support in the transition process: Accompaniment through the various stages of social, medical or legal transition (change of name and sex marker, hormone therapy, surgery, etc.).
Building self-esteem and self-confidence: Strengthening assertiveness, developing coping strategies in the face of discrimination and transphobia.
Managing emotions: Support in managing difficult emotions (anxiety, depression, gender incongruence).
Social and family support: Improving communication with family and friends, strengthening family ties, finding support groups.
Recommendations and referrals: Referrals to specific community, medical and legal resources to help a person transition. This may also include a letter from the professional recommending a name/sex change, hormone therapy or surgical procedures.
Please note that each person has different needs, and our professionals will be there to help you at your own pace.
It should also be noted that our clinic offers a free commissioner of oaths service (subject to follow-up) for first name and gender change requests.
Letters of recommendation can usually be issued after one or two appointments (following a brief but rigorous assessment according to the WPATH (World Professional Association For Transgender Health) Standards of Care (Version 8) for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people).
Topics covered:
Coming out: Preparing to announce your gender identity to those around you, at school or at work, etc.
Social transition: Change of name, pronouns, gender expression, integration into social spaces, etc.
Medical transition: information on hormone treatments, gender affirmation surgery, medical follow-up, etc.
Legal transition: Change of first name and gender marker on official documents.
Impact of transphobia: Managing stress, anxiety and discrimination.
Mental health: Screening and management of people with mental health problems (anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.).
What is psychosocial support in gender transition?
Psychosocial support in gender transition is professional support offered by a social worker to trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people (and those questioning their gender). It aims to provide a safe and caring space to :
Explore gender identity
Navigate challenges and multiple transitions
Promote overall well-being in one's living environment.
Our approach is human, respectful of your realities, and focused on your needs.
First appointment (up to two appointments if necessary): assessment
This is the process during which we will discuss the many facets of your life that relate to your gender identity, including your relationships, the multiple contexts and environments that shape you. The social worker will create an analysis of how all these aspects interact with your gender identity in the context of your transition, and help you navigate the associated challenges.
Appointment(s) following assessment of social functioning: the intervention plan
Following the assessment, the social worker will present his/her understanding of your situation (his/her analysis) and his/her professional opinion (what could be done?). This is the moment when you can agree, disagree or adjust certain information if necessary, in order to create a game plan (intervention plan). The intervention plan is drawn up jointly, because we believe that you are the expert on your situation. The social worker will ask you about the goals you'd like to set for yourself, and will discuss with you how to get there.
Follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments will enable you to put the intervention plan into action and work towards your goals, according to your priorities and at your own pace. All this will be done in a climate of compassion, empathy and acceptance of your situation, without judgment and with openness on the part of the social worker. The social worker will also reassess your objectives with you, and recalibrate them as needed to motivate you to move forward towards your goals.
Fares - Individual psychosocial intervention
Individual appointment (50-60 min)
Appointment for 2+ people (50-60 min)
- 115-130 $
- 140-155 $
IVAC mandates are accepted (the rate for an appointment is the amount reimbursed by IVAC)
The Euphoros Clinic offers a reduced rate. Contact info@clinique-euphoros.ca to determine if you are eligible.