What methods do therapists employ to diagnose gender identity?

[Ashley1]

I’m in the research stage of my transition. 

[VickySGV]

World Professional Association of Transgender Health,  (WPATH)  Standards of Care (SOC) version 7 is one source or their therapeutic guidelines.  If a therapist is a member of WPATH who  uses those standards you are safe to assume they know their stuff.

 

The other research source is the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association / American Psychological Association.  I believe the latest version is #5.  

 

The therapist will interview you over several hours based on their professional expertise and if you fit the patterns of the SOC7 and DSM to a close degree, they can give you letters of recommendation for your next steps.  Word of caution, this is not a check list nor are there right or wrong answers so trying to snow them with "Right" answers will not work.  The two references though will possibly give you information where you decide you do not fit the characteristics for some actions, in which case you will need not go further.  Honesty and openness are the keys.