Psychologist explains gender issues, transgender, transsexual, crossdressing, transition

Notes on Gender Role Transition

FAQ -- Updated April 11, 2008

New Client Information

GID Treatment Plan

Standards of Care --Version VI

Essays

T Notes

Practicum

A Significant Other View

Links to other sites

Resources for Friends and Family

Guest Speaker

Featured Article:

Rethinking the Gender Identity Disorder Terminology in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV -TR (DSM IV) by Anne Vitale PhD - This is an expanded version, complete with references of a paper read at the WPATH Conference in Bologna, Italy in April 2005 .

About this site:

This web site addresses issues regarding gender dysphoria, crossdressing, transsexualism, transgenderism, Gender Identity Disorder, hormones, sex reassignment surgery (SRS), the WPATH Standards of Care (SOC) and gender variant issues in general. Female-to-Male (FTM) and Male-to-Female (MTF) issues are covered.

The section entitled Practicum contains specific information to facilitate gender role transition. The section called A Significant Other View is written by the wife of a crossdresser.The Essays are fully referenced papers on gender identity issues. Guest Speaker includes writings from invited guests. T Notes serves as an informal forum regarding issues of current interest in my private practice. I hope to make monthly contributions to the T Notes; the other sections will be added to less frequently.

The observations listed and opinions expressed herein are derived primarily from my work with clients presenting with gender related issues. Additional information was and continues to be derived in consultation with colleagues, endocrinologists, and surgeons who specialize in treating Gender Identity Disorder. The period of observation is from 1978 to the present. The accent of this web site will be on gender role transition.

Disclaimer: Nothing on this site should be viewed as providing therapeutic advice. No formation of a client/therapist relationship with Dr. Vitale or the D Street Counseling Group is intended or to be implied or inferred. The information provided in this site is for educational purposes only. The information may not be used as a substitute for a medical/psychological diagnosis or treatment. Dr. Vitale does not warrant the completeness, correctness, timeliness, usefulness or accuracy of any of the information provided on this site. You should not rely upon this information as a substitute for consul with a qualified physician or mental health provider prior to starting any treatment or if you have any questions related to your health, physical fitness, psychological or medical conditions.

Services Provided--

In depth psychotherapy

Registered Medicare Provider

Evaluations for hormones and Sex Reassignment Surgery

Consultation for individuals and other professionals

About the author--- I am a Licensed Psychologist (California Board of Psychology #PSY15764) specializing in working with individuals with crossdressing and other gender identity concerns. I am a long standing member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) (formerly known as the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA)) and a founding member of the Bay Area Gender Associates, a peer supervision and consultation group.

My therapeutic orientation is Existential-Humanist. Essentially that means I place great emphasis on the current conditions of the client's life. It is impossible to change the past. Only one's understanding of the present can be evaluated and made workable. Further, as an Existential-Humanist, I expect my clients to take full responsibility for the decisions they make in their lives. This is especially important when one is discussing the possibility of changing one's gender role. I am firmly committed to working within the limits of flexibility described in the WPATH/HBIGDA Standards of Care. My experience in the area of gender issues is extensive, dating back to my graduate studies in 1978. I estimate that I have worked with over 450 individuals since then.

Although I am qualified to work with a wide range of psycho therapeutic issues, I have come to understand that when working with my gender clients, my function is often simply that of being a knowledgeable guide. Ultimately, only the client can know the rightness or wrongness of gender role transition. In my experience, most people who present with gender issues are responsible, capable and intelligent people. I see no reason not to take advantage of those abilities when helping my clients resolve their gender issues.

email-- Contact the author ----Please use the word INQUIRY in the Subject Line!