Transgender Therapy and Trans Support in San Diego & Online in California and Minnesota

What does a gender-affirming therapist do?

A gender-affirming therapist (sometimes called a gender therapist) believes you about who you are. We know you have your own gender experience and it might look differently than others’. We know your journey is yours alone. Instead, therapy focuses on what you want help with.

You might want to figure out how you want to present yourself so you are most true to who you are. You might want help to come out to your parents or loved ones, at work, or at synagogue or church. Maybe you are looking for hormones. Or maybe you want to work on stress, relationships, family, work, or anything else in your life. Being trans is part of who you are but not all of what makes you, you.

What can I work on in trans-affirming therapy?

People come to Waves Psych for many reasons. We can help if you are:

• Tired of being misgendered, or of explaining yourself to everyone around you

• Exploring or questioning your gender identity

• Navigating religion and transgender identity, including Jewish trans identity

• Thinking about gender-affirming surgery

• Wanting access to hormones (testosterone, estrogen, hormone blockers, or spironolactone) or hormone blockers with an informed-consent-oriented therapist

• Healing from bad experiences like family rejection or transphobia, with EMDR therapy

• Exploring your or your loved one’s intersex identity

• A parent with questions about your child's or young adult's gender identity (see parent support)

Can you write letters for gender-affirming care?

Yes. All Waves clinicians are willing and able to write letters in support of transgender clients. Many trans people need a letter from a mental health provider to access medical care. We think that requirement is unfair, and we work to make the process as simple as possible.

You do not need to be in active therapy to get a letter.

• To get a letter, request an appointment, complete our intake forms, and meet with a clinician twice (or more, depending on your age and type of medical need). We do our best to see you in as few sessions as possible while utilizing the WPATH Standards of Care.

• Appointments are usually available within a week, except during holiday weeks.

• Your letter is stored in your client portal and is valid for one year.

• We follow the WPATH Standards of Care, Version 8. Dr. Abi Weissman is a WPATH GEI SOC8 Certified Member.

Are you a therapist who wants to learn to write letters? See our consultation services.

How do you handle names and pronouns?

We use the name you choose. We never deadname you if we can at all help it. If we need to know a name that you don’t currently use for legal or medical paperwork, we will ask permission and if granted, spell it out loud.  Before we put a name on paperwork, we check with you about spelling and where it will be used. We use the pronouns you ask us to use, in each setting, and we ask about pronouns for the people in your life too. If we make a mistake, we acknowledge it, correct it, and move on without making it your job to comfort us.

Do you practice conversion therapy?

No. Being trans is not something that needs to be changed. We are firmly against conversion therapy, which is banned for minors here in California and Minnesota. If you have experienced conversion efforts in the past, trans-affirming therapy can be a place to heal from them. Born Perfect also has helpful resources.

Do you offer online therapy for trans clients?

Yes. We offer secure video therapy for trans and nonbinary clients who live in California and Minnesota. You can also meet with us in person at our office in Bankers Hill, San Diego. Learn more about online therapy at Waves.