Trans Alliance Society: Finding Services and Resources for Transgender and Transsexuals in Vancouver & British Columbia

How do I pick who to go to?

Most of the information courtesy of Transcend - "TransForming Community".

Sometimes we have choices about who to seek services from, and sometimes we don't. The degree of choice we have often depends on what we can afford, what language the services are offered in, how easy it is to get from where we live or work to the location of the service, how confident we are that a service will be respectful of our cultural heritage, and other issues relating to accessibility. Our choices are also affected by the bureaucratic restrictions of different systems of health and social care.

When you have a choice about who to go to, there are many things you can to do try and find someone who fits what you are looking for.

Before choosing a service provider, consider:

What qualities am I looking for in a service provider? One way to think about this is to think about experiences you've had that have been positive as well as those that have been negative. What did the service provider do or say that made it so positive/negative?
What are my expectations? Consider whether you're looking for something immediate, short-term, or long-term. It is also helpful to consider whether you're looking for a service just for your own needs, or also to satisfy a bureaucratic requirement (e.g., psychiatric assessment to get approval for hormones or surgery).
What can I afford? Do you have any kind of medical coverage — MSP, extended health benefits through work, or private insurance — that could help pay for some or all of a service?
What have other people’s experiences been? If you know other trans people or family members, ask them if there is anyone they would recommend or if there is anyone they had negative experiences with.
Do I want another perspective? Sometimes it is difficult to make decisions when you are in a crisis. It can be helpful to ask friends, family, peers, or other professionals to help you sort out what your options are and determine what would help you to make a decision.

Finding a Service Provider That is Right for You: Asking Questions

Even among service providers who charge fees, many people will provide a free initial interview or consultation by phone or in person. This gives you a chance to ask the service provider questions about their experience, expertise, and attitudes relating to trans issues, as well as find out more about the practical logistics such as fees and waitlist for services.

The types of questions you ask depend on your personal preferences and needs. When we asked participants in our community focus groups what they would need to know about a service provider to feel confident and comfortable about going to them, responses included:

Logistics & Policies

What kinds of resources, services, or programs do you offer?
Are you open to everyone, or are there limits on who is eligible for your services?
Do I need to get a referral from another service provider to see you? Do you have an intake process?
How long is your waiting list?
What are your fees? Do you have a sliding scale? Are any of your fees covered by government health plans or insurance?
Are there stairs into your office? Is the bathroom wheelchair accessible?
What are the limits of your services and powers? What can/can’t you do? Are you in a position where your assessment of me will determine my access to other services?
How much privacy do I have in accessing your services? If people see me walk into your office, will they know I’s ___ (HIV+, gay/lesbian, a person with a mental illness, etc.), or do you see people for all sorts of reasons?
Who are you accountable to? What level of responsibility will your agency take for an individual staff/volunteer’s actions?
What are your policies or standards around working with trans people and their family members?

Training & Experience

What is your background and training? What kinds of education and experience do you have?
Have you ever worked with trans people or their family members? Have you worked specifically with ___ (Two Spirit people, trans people of colour, MTFs, FTMs, intersex people, transsexuals, crossdressers, etc.)?
Have you had any training or participated in professional development sessions? Is there a specific person at your agency who has experience with trans issues?
Are you familiar with the language used to talk about gender issues and sexual orientation?
What kinds of expertise do you have that you think I might find useful?
Do you know how to find other resources?

Attitudes & Sensitivity

What approach do you take to health care? Are you open to complementary therapies?
What is your approach to gender and to gender diversity? Do you perceive transgenderism as a mental illness?
What is your approach to physiological diversity? Do you perceive intersexuality or disabilities as physical abnormalities?
How do you think gender oppression and other types of social justice/equity issues play a role in affecting people’s health and well-being?
Do you act as an advocate for your clients if they are having difficulty with other service providers?
How would you deal with examining a gendered body part (e.g., breasts)?
How comfortable are you with talking explicitly about gender issues? How comfortable are you being around trans people or dealing with our bodies?
How do you show that you value diversity and honour the client’s perspective?
How do you deal with it when clients bring up concerns? How do you deal with conflict that occurs in working with a client?

Resources

Guidelines in seeking a gender therapist
Written by Arlene Istar Lev, a therapist with a great deal of experience working with trans people.
A guide for Choosing Doctors and Counsellors for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered Persons and People living with HIV/AIDS. Researched and written by Donna Huen and Jeremy Buchner, Winnipeg Gay/Lesbian Resource Centre, Inc.

This handbook will give you information about choosing a medical or counselling care provider.

It is intended for use by gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered (GLBT) and two-spirited individuals, people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS, and the people important to them. Homophobia, transphobia and AIDSphobia can impact on the care we receive, and internalized homophobia can impact on our ability (or capacity) to receive quality care. This booklet will provide some tools for helping you to find an appropriate care provider.