Kids!

Children’s and Teenagers exploring gender identity come with a unique and complex set of needs. At GIC our therapist understand child/human development and all of the developemental affects on mental health, identity, and gender. 

We work with kids starting at age 6 and up. 

Most commonly kids come to therapist in junior high or at the onset of puberty. 

Puberty comes with it’s own challenges. A e

Gender Dysphoria...

Unique relationship with their bodies.

A lot of times parents first find out about gender dysphoria in their child at puberty. 

This can turn into a huge transition and adjustment affecting all family members. 

We support parents in learning how to adjust to name and pronoun changes. How to best come out in school or with extended family members, How to become educated on all the medical side of being transgender or nonbinary

Kids priorities are often school, grades, friendships, art/hobbies, or sports.... Social anxiety due to gender dysphoria can come in and impact all of these areas of functioning. 

Our therapist are specialized in this and have a lot of experience with kids and families going through similar experiences. 

Kids come with a lot of questions:

• How do we know for sure if they are transgender?

• How do we come out at school?

• They want to change their name and pronouns? Where do we even start?

• How do we tell the extended family?

• Is this more about their sexuality then their gender?

• Are they being influenced by peers and their culture?

Play therapy For Kids ages 6 to 10

Play therapy is an evidenced based treatment that unites a child’s developmental stage with unique therapeutic interventions. Children ages 6 through 10 explore and understand the world around them through play. We use play therapy to reach them at their level, speak their language, and interact with them where they are. Through intentional and thoughtful play activities a therapist can explore gender identity with a child, build self esteem, and support them in developing healthy coping skills. It is especially important for transgender kids to develop key these key skills so that when puberty hits or the struggle with dysphoria increases they are ready to handle it and move through it in a healthy way with strong self esteem and strong coping skills.

An important question at this age is whether or not to plan to do puberty blockers with your child.

Ages 11 to 14

Most kids and family’s come to us during this time. Junior high and puberty are stages of deep identity development. Kids are exploring who they are in the world. They are focused on social life and school. Their bodies are changing and they are figuring out what their interests, strengths, and passions are. This can quickly become overwhelming and low self esteem, depression, and anxiety can take root. When gender dysphoria is added to the already large amount of changes this age group is maneuvering it becomes very challenging. A kids body changes and puberty can make gender dysphoria increase in severity. This is a unique struggle for the kid and their family. It comes with a lot of big questions. We love to support these kids and families maneuver this journey.

Ages 15 to 18

As an adolescent moves into adulthood gender exploration adapts and comes with unique challenges…. Dating, Trainsitioning questions come up …..

Parent Support