For transgender individuals, it can seem as though there are very few options available that allows them to move forward with their lives while being true to their authentic self. However, there is actually a wide range of transgender therapy options available. Understanding those options is the key to treating gender dysphoria successfully.
Holistic Transgender Therapy
The foundation for moving forward for almost any transgender person is holistic transgender therapy. This is a type of psychological counseling that can help the transgender individual accept themselves. Many people feel torn by the dissonance between their physical sex and their gender identity. This struggle combined with many other elements, including the way family and friends have treated them, how society depicts them, can cause severe anxiety and depression. It reasons then, that effective holistic therapy is a crucial first step in a transgender person’s transition.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, allows a transgender person to alleviate some of the gendered characteristics of their body while enhancing or developing characteristics that connect with the gender they identify with. Hormones can be administered in a number of different ways and may or may not be followed by surgery. For example, administering testosterone reduces the amount of estrogen in the human body, while increasing the development of “masculine” characteristics. HRT may be the only treatment a transgender individual seeks, or it may be part of a wider combination of efforts.
Surgical Options
Plastic surgery offers transgender individuals a host of options to alleviate dysphoria and transform their body even closer to their sense of self. Facial feminization and facial masculinization surgeries, mastectomy and breast augmentation, and even complete genital confirmation procedures are possible with a trusted transgender therapy center. Surgery may or may not be the right choice for any transgender individual – it’s best to discuss your options and goals with a board-certified doctor to create a comprehensive plan that helps you alleviate dysphoria.
These are only three of many transgender therapy options available through the right facility. However, it is vital that you choose a facility with a reputation for showing respect and compassion to all transgender individuals. The right clinic will offer both surgical and nonsurgical solutions, including holistic therapy, to help you alleviate dysphoria and be at peace with your identity.
