Overview: 7 Tips for Finding an Inclusive, Trans-Affirming Therapist Near You (7-part blog series)
You've decided to look for an inclusive, trans-affirming therapist.
It might be helpful to process some of the intense stuff happening in the world. This doesn’t have to be someone who with lived experience, though that might feel important to you.
Finding a trans-inclusive therapist who "gets it" is important, especially when you're hoping to do vulnerable work.
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When you look at their website, it doesn't mention anything about trans-centered care.
When you talk with them during the phone consult, they refer to you with the wrong pronouns.
And during your first appointment, something is missing from the conversation.
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They relate everything to your gender dysphoria.
It feels hard to expand the conversation to things like the impact of constant daily microaggressions.
You don’t think they quite understand how hopeless you feel about the anti-trans political climate.
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A therapist website calls to you in a way that most don't, so you excitedly reach out.
And then you see that the person is full. Or they don't take your insurance.
Or your insurance coverage doesn't cover enough to make treatment workable.
As a genderqueer, nonbinary therapist, I am constantly checking in with myself.
Photo of Dr. addyson tucker in their office.
It is a constant balance between caring for myself and serving my community.
Some providers respond to that “not doing enough” feeling by taking on things they don’t have capacity for. During a time when so many therapists are at capacity, it can feel like there isn’t a choice.
I’ve discovered that going beyond capacity makes me less effective with ALL my clients. Mostly because of the impact on my physical and mental health.
One way that I balance my limited capacity for clinical services is through offering other resources, recommendations, and potential treatment alternatives.
So why not share some of those tips with community!?
Join me each week through the end of 2023 to expand on this list: 7 Tips for Finding an Inclusive, Trans-Affirming Therapist
Note: There are already some great pieces written about this, so I’ll try not to recreate the wheel. Instead, I'll point you to those resources and summarize a list of things to keep in mind.
1) Explore therapist match sites with similar values.
Be picky with general sites (e.g., seek providers who say they are trans-affirming).
Explore sites that match people with therapists who serve marginalized communities (Inclusive Therapists!).
2) Don’t get distracted by the shiny things.
A therapist is not a good match based on their high google ranking or a fancy website.
What matters is how you experience their presence in the room together.
3) Expand your search and find your people.
Connect in community for collective support and healing with others (e.g., Trans Self-Compassion)
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, former therapists, and trusted colleagues.
4) It’s OK to be picky. Interview your therapist.
Make a list of things that feel important to you in a therapy relationship. Ask questions that help you find a potential good fit.
Comparison shopping is important. Practice asking for what you need, want, and desire in the initial email and consultation.
5) Does the provider ‘practice what they preach’?
The personal is professional. Sometimes, being apolitical is oppressive.
Notice if their words, actions, paperwork, office decor, etc. match their stated values.
6) Trust the process. Trust yourself.
Therapy should feel 100% Consensual. 100% of the time.
The relationship is key. Are you able to communicate what does and does not work for you?
7) Figure out your finances.
Managed healthcare and finances can be significant barriers to care. Your ability or inability to pay that rate does not reflect on your right to accessing high quality services that meet your needs.
Sometimes we need to invest in the things that help us move toward healing. How can you budget for therapy in a way that works for your financial situation and your mental health needs?
Continue with this 7-part Blog Series:
7 Tips for Finding an Inclusive, Trans-Affirming Therapist - Stay tuned as addyson expands with new blogs weekly through the end of 2023*
Explore therapist match sites with similar values.
Don’t get distracted by the shiny things.
Expand your search and find your people.
It’s OK to be picky. Interview your therapist.
Does the provider ‘practice what they preach’?
Trust the process. Trust yourself.
Figure out your finances.
*Note: The timeline on this 7-tip blog series was pushed back due to unexpected life circumstances and reduced capacity for several months. Appreciate the reader’s understanding & flexibility!
