How Do Waves’ Gender Affirming Therapists Support Trans People?

Identity

First and foremost, we believe in the existence of trans people. Some people think that being trans is not real or a joke or a medical disorder. We know that being trans is an identity. We also know that if one identifies as a woman or a man or nonbinary or some other gender identity (including none at all), we will believe them. They do not have to prove their identity to us at Waves. 

Against Conversion Therapy

We know that being trans is not something that needs to be changed. We are staunchly against conversion therapy. Not only does it not work but it harms so many people and here in California, as well as other places, it is against the law. For more information about the fight-to-end conversion therapy, please see the NCLR project at Born Perfect. 

Click here for some extra resources: https://bornperfect.org/toolkits-resources-and-statements/ 

Letters

We understand that in order to receive helpful medical treatment, trans people need additional verification (“letters”) from mental health practitioners. We don’t believe that this is fair but for many, it is a reality. We do our best to help people get the medical support they need. To receive a letter from one of Waves’ clinicians, people must request an appointment, fill out forms documenting their needs and wants, and meet with us at least once, if not twice so that we can properly document their interests and suitability for various services.

We do not make clients seek therapy with us in order to write a letter on their behalf. Clients have access to their letters in their therapy portal (client files are kept in the cloud safely) and are able to be used for a year. We are usually able to get clients to see us within one week for their letter-writing needs unless it is over a holiday week, like Chanukah or Passover. 

Pronouns

We will use the pronouns that people want us to use in whatever setting they need us to. We will ask which pronouns make clients happy. This might mean that we use different pronouns for a client with different people. We will follow a client’s lead and direction in using certain pronouns on their receipts to file with their insurance companies. Perhaps then, we will use different pronouns with the client themselves and other pronouns with caregivers, parents, or partners.

If clients are questioning their identities, we will check in with them as to which pronouns they want us to use. This also means that we will ask about the pronouns of our clients’ loved ones or friends and use their correct pronouns too. If we make a mistake, we will own it and get back to the matter at hand, supporting our clients. 

Names

We are honored when a client shares the name that they want to call themselves. We know deeply that it can take a while to find that name that fits. We will help clients explore naming themselves if they are interested or want support in this way. We will never dead name (use the name that a person was assigned at birth) clients. If we need to confirm the spelling of a name for paperwork, we will check in with the client about the name first, and then, see if it feels comfortable for them to let us spell it out. We want them to feel like they can be their full selves with us.