What makes a good gender therapist?

[EliAtkins]

I am currently working on my masters in mental health counseling and being on these forums has definitely helped confirm for me that one of the areas I want to focus on is gender issues.  I've known for a while that I definitely want to work with the LGBTQIA+ population, but between what I've been going through and seeing the stories/journeys of everyone here, it's just something that's really cemented for me in the past few months.

 

Currently I am looking for an internship site so I can finish up my degree and I want to start getting experience in dealing with clients with gender issues.  Unfortunately, there aren't really any classes or specialty training programs for this area like there are with many other specialties.  The class I took that focuses on cultural sensitivity training was an utter joke in this regard because the textbook we used had a very short chapter on the LGBTQIA+ population as a whole and included only a paragraph on transpersons with no mention at all about anything non-binary.  Most of the knowledge I had before I joined this forum was research I've done on my own or for papers and in a couple months on this forum, I've learned more about trans issues than I have in 5 years of classes.

 

I am asking everyone for guidance.  I've already heard a few things people have mentioned about their counselors, both good and bad.  I just want to try and educate myself as much as possible to make myself the best gender therapist I can be, so I'm asking for people to share their experiences with me (either here or through a private message if you're uncomfortable posting for everyone to see).  What did your therapist do that was good?  What wasn't helpful?  What do you wish they'd have done differently?

[Carolyn Marie]

Eli, if you're looking for an internship program, the Los Angeles Gender Center has one of the few dedicated gender-counseling internship and mentoring programs in the country.  I don't know if they still have openings, but it's worth a chat with the Director, Dr. Aydin Olson-Kennedy.  Full disclosure - I'm a Board member of this non-profit.

 

As to your question about qualifications; I would include such things as having at least some education in gender issues, and internship (paid or unpaid) with a gender counseling center with experienced and licensed therapists; a good knowledge of local resources for referrals, and thorough grounding in current research and methods.  My first G.T. had all that.  She was an MFT, not a psychotherapist, but she worked alongside several.  I was in good hands, and knew it when one of the first things she asked me was, "What name would you like me to call you?"   ?

 

Carolyn Marie

[EliAtkins]

@Carolyn Marie As much as I would absolutely LOVE to do an internship at a place like that, unfortunately, I live on the east coast (about an hour from Philadelphia) so doing an internship there just isn't feasible.  But I do appreciate the suggestion!  There really aren't any gender counseling centers in the area so the best I can do is hope that I find an internship under a counselor who works with and is at least somewhat knowledgeable about gender issues.

[VickySGV]

Two places to check "East of the Mississippi" would be Fenway Health in Boston.

https://fenwayhealth.org/info/locations/ 

 

Or contact the office of Dr. Christine McGinn in New Hope PA.  She has a number of GT's in the area who feed her surgery practice.  Or just look in the New Hope area for therapists in our directory and call one of them to see if they know of programs in the area.

[EliAtkins]

@VickySGV Thanks for the suggestions!  I'm pretty far from Boston, but New Hope is only an hour or two away so I might be able to look around for a daily commute that's not too terrible.

[Lexi C]

Hey Carolyn Marie..I just started with Gender center again this time in north Hollywood. Aydin was a big help. I am currently under the guide of Cleo. We are a both feeling each other out. So I hope it works. My last two L.A Gender Therapists quit on me. Onein the WeHo officr  didn't even tell me. I show up and her supervisor told me. " She can no longer help. So you need to go home" I also had one from the Culver City office who was amazing but leave for a job in east coast...So finger cross with Ms. Cleo. As for Eli Atkins...what every you do, Do not abandon yr clients.. It took me 3yrs to finally start trust a Therapist again. As for  the East coast NYC is the one of the ground Zero City for LGBT...you should be able to find some one there ..Good Luck

[Charlize]

You might want to contact Dr McGinn's Papillon Center in New Hope for information.  She is my doctor and her staff is very friendly and helpful.  You could also contact Dr Angello in King Of Prussia PA who was my GT.  She might be able to make some suggestions as well.  If you look for recommendations from folks who have a good reputation in the field they may be better equipped to know the best places to study and prepare for a career.

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Carolyn Marie]

9 hours ago, Alex C said:

Hey Carolyn Marie..I just started with Gender center again this time in north Hollywood. Aydin was a big help. I am currently under the guide of Cleo. We are a both feeling each other out. So I hope it works.

 

I hope it works out for you, and I'm troubled by what happened regarding the other therapist.  That should never happen. 

 

Best wishes

 

Carolyn Marie

[EliAtkins]

@Alex C Not abandoning clients is one of the cardinal rules drilled into us in the classes I've taken.  It's definitely something I will strive to avoid doing.  I don't know what the full extent of your situation is, but I am sorry for the bad experiences you had and I hope things work out with your new one!

 

@Charlize I'm actually already in a program through Kutztown University.  I've completed all of the classes and I only have my field experience left to do before I graduate.  Overall it is a good program, but there is very little education provided on the LGBTQIA+ population so I've had to a lot of research and learning on my own.  I'm currently looking around at places to do my field experience and there are a few gender therapists I know of in my area that I was going to start with, but I will definitely keep both of those places in mind if I need to expand my search.

[Lexi C]

Good Luck and Congrats