If you are Transgender or Trans*

My Introduction to Trans* Therapy

My work with the trans* community began nine years ago. During this time, I was a therapist new to trans* clients, and to be perfectly honest, I felt intimidated by the process.  Of course, I did take some basic classes on transitioning and trans issues.  Yet those classes never prepared me for the “real” world.  I did have a close friend, who happened to be a therapist and FTM. He was my cheerleader and seemed to think I would do just fine. In fact, he was the reason why I was there in the first place.  In the end, I truly felt honored that somehow fate allowed me to sit with trans* clients while they shared their stories kept only to themselves.  Over the next seven years, I gained a vast skill set in being able to help the transgender community.

Coming Full Circle

Today, I offer therapy and support for individuals, who are anywhere in the trans* spectrum, and anywhere in their ability to live as their authentic self. I offer this with both education and experience that I have gained over those seven years.  My relationship with you will be collaborative and one where I will continue to learn from you as you would from me. It is important for you to know that I am someone, who takes the time to carefully look at all aspects of, who you are as a person, and not just your sexual orientation.  

I realize that some of you are only here because you are desperate and are perhaps at a dead end.  While I can never feel your experience, I can understand that it is hard to reach out to a stranger with your deepest thoughts and feelings. Please know, I will do my best to treat you with the dignity and respect that you deserve. I welcome you, your partners, friends, and family members. 

The following are some trans* related issues (not all) that I can assist you with:

  • Coming out
  • Workplace discrimination
  • Family and/or friends rejection or non-acceptance
  • Internalized transphobia
  • Shame and guilt
  • Emotional support and guidance for individuals, who identify as Asexual, pan-sexual, gender-queer, non-binary, two-spirited, gender-less, gender-fluid, gender-non conforming, and gender-variant
  • Body image issues
  • Questions around hormone therapy
  • Help with sorting out whether to get surgery
  • What you need to know before you get surgery
  • How to navigate the healthcare system
  • Relationship issues
  • Getting help when living in a remote and rural community
  • Education for those new to the transition process

Trans* Umbrella

The Trans* Umbrella is ever changing. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of identifiers.

Graphic design of an umbrella with a the canopy sectioned into five colors; baby blue, white, baby pink, neon green, and light purple. The umbrella contains all recent terms that fit under the Trans* umbrella. The handle of the umbrella aids in creating a line between two sides of the umbrella. Under the canopy are a list of terms used under the Trans* umbrella. On the right side are the terms: Trans*, Neutrois, Trans-feminine, Trans-masculine, FTX, Two Spirit, Gender Questioning, MT3, Pan-gender, FTl, Third Gender MtX, Gender-queer, Gender-fluid, and Gender Binary. Under the left side are the terms: Trans* woman, Bi-gender, Omni-gender, Ft3, Fourth Gender, MTl, Androgynous, FtM, Transgender, A-gender, MtF, Ambi-gender, Trans*man, Gender non-Binary. This image is used to show all the various ways “gender” is seen.

Trans 101 for Significant Others, Partners, Friends, Families, and Allies (SOFFAs) of Trans People. Brown, S. Retrieved from Indiana Transgender Network: http://indianatransgendernetwork.com/docs/Trans101-for-SOFFAs_v7.pdf.

Helpful Links & Resources _________________

Resources for Transgender People in Crisis

Transgender people in crisis should contact the following resources:

The Trevor Project‘s 24/7 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or Trevor Chat, the Trevor Project’s online messaging service

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860

Do you live outside the United States? If so, check out The Trevor Project’s list of international resources here.

                                                     

      Transgender Organizations

 Advocacy/Legal Services
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)  (advocacy)

Transgender Law Center (TLC)  (legal services and advocacy)
Gender Proud  (advocacy)
Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP)  (legal services)
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF)  (legal services)
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC)  (advocacy)
Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC)  (advocacy)
Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC)  (advocacy)
Black Trans Advocacy  (advocacy)
Trans Latina Coalition  (advocacy)

Economic Empowerment
TransTech Social Enterprises  

Military
SPART*A  (advocacy for trans military service members)
Transgender American Veterans Association  (advocacy for trans veterans)

Support for families, trans youth, and educators
Gender Spectrum  (Support for families, trans youth, and educators)
Trans Youth Equality Federation  (support for families and trans youth)
Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA)  (support for families and trans youth)
TransLife Center at Chicago House  (support services)

Trans Athletes
TransAthlete.com  (info about trans athletes)

Transgender Programs at LGBT Organizations

Economic empowerment
L.A. LGBT Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project  (economic empowerment)
SF Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative  (economic empowerment)

Legal Services
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  (legal services)
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Transgender Rights Project  (legal services)
National Center for Lesbian Rights – Transgender Law  (legal services)

Policy and Legislative Advocacy
GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program  (media advocacy)
Freedom for All Americans (policy and legislative advocacy)
PFLAG’s Transgender Ally campaign  (advocacy)
The Task Force’s Transgender Civil Rights Project  (advocacy)
HRC’s transgender resources  (advocacy)
TransJustice at the Audre Lorde Project  (advocacy)

Support for trans people and their families
PFLAG Our Trans Loved Ones  (support for families of people who are trans)
Gender Identity Project at the NYC LGBT Center  (support services)
PFLAG Transgender Resources (resources for trans people and their families)
COLAGE Kids of Trans Community  (support for kids of trans parents)

 Miscellaneous         Transgender Information:

Health Care
WPATH 
Transgender health care
Transgender-Inclusive Health Care Coverage and the Corporate Equality Index 

Help with Name Changes/ID’s
Translaw 
Trans 101 for Trans People 

Education Others 
Questions about Transgender Identity 
Understanding Non-Binary People

MISC
Questionable Questions About Transgender Identity
Understanding non-binary people 

I offer tela-therapy, telephone, and in-person sessions. On a limited basis, I offer in-home services

Office Hours: My hours are from
5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday).  My Saturday hours are from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. For exact Location please call:

This is a photograph of Savita Kumar, LCSW, owner and founder of Mastering Joy Inc. The image has been reshaped into a circular pattern and placed in the footer of all the pages.

Mastering Joy Inc., Licensed Clinical Social Worker, A Professional Corporation
Savita Kumar, LCSW #76131

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