20/02/2024
Professional Education & Support
for LGBTQ+ Medical & Behavioral Healthcare Providers
Delivering comprehensive Medical or Behavioral Healthcare Services as a component of your professional practice on behalf of Transgender (TG), Gender Diverse (GD) or Gender Variant (GV) individuals can and will prove to be a little challenging. The challenges you experience have historically been the result of a lack of specialized medical or behavioral healthcare training you received in preparation for the care you will be providing for these individuals. In the absence of specialized training; time is required to acquire the first-hand real-world knowledge and experience with the diverse challenges, needs and experiences these individuals present and what they are confronted with as they look to live their lives in their self-attributed Non-Conforming Gender roles. The professionals I work with strive to deliver the best and most appropriate gender affirming care for these individuals. However; in the absence of specialized training, acquired experience and knowledge, or being a Transgender or Gender Diverse Stakeholder, one might unknowingly impose their own preconceived or unconscious biases or limitations while providing care.
My background as a Social-Psychologist & Behavioral Analyst; with doctoral Degrees in both Sociology and Psychology, I am proud to share that I am an Affirmed Woman & Stakeholder in the LGBTQ+ Community who has been living and working, personally and professionally, as a Woman for the past Thirty Four (34) years.
My professional and personal experiences since my Gender Affirmation in 1990; which I like refer to as my life’s evolution coupled with the challenges and experiences I encountered and endured leading up to that evolution, I am in a unique position to provide insights, support and assistance with client / patient interventions and your delivery of appropriate, compassionate and effective medical or behavioral healthcare. My personal and professional experiences aside, I have been researching & studying Gender Dysphoria, Transgender & Gender Diversity development and history for over Forty (40) years. This research and study is in addition to working with the LGBTQ+ Community and in partnership with the medical and healthcare professionals providing gender affirming care throughout that period of time.
These professional resources & life experiences are utilized by:
Supporting Physicians, Psychologists, Counselors & Social Workers:
Patient Assessments & Interventions:
Thirty Four (34) years of experience as an Affirmed-Woman, along with the preceding years of dysphoria during adolescence and early adulthood (gender identity disorder) when I searched for answers, insights and an understanding of my feelings during a time when there was little to no public information available and the difficulties I encountered in securing suitable professional resources prior to finding the resources which allowed me to understand and accept my female (transgender) identity. This experience and history is the reason medical and behavioral healthcare professionals request my assistance when they have a patient who would benefit from a discussion with someone who has been through it before (someone who has been there, done that and lived it) and is able to fully understand their present emotional, psychological and physiological experiences. Healthcare professionals have also requested my assistance when they are experiencing uncertainty of their patient’s suitability for gender affirming medical or surgical intervention. These support services are provided in collaboration with the medical or behavioral healthcare provider.
Family Counseling: Parents and Siblings:
Meeting with and assisting parents and siblings; in partnership with the treating professional, to help them understand the biological, chromosomal, genetic, hormonal and physiological factors influencing gender variant and gender non-conforming experiences, as well as what the individual has been and is currently experiencing by sharing my personal and professional experiences and history with them.
Professional Development: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Postdocs & Students:
Psychological and Behavioral Counseling practices I work with have asked that I provide on-site training for their personnel. Training has been provided through formal professional development seminars, as well as in an open forum where the individuals are afforded the opportunity ask questions about my medical and psychological history, experiences and gender affirmation.
Understanding the Gender Diverse, Gender Variant & Transgender Individual:
• Professional Development:
o Begins with sharing experiences of my life’s evolution as well as accomplishments personally and professionally. Followed by the presentation of a formal half day or full day professional development seminar.
• Clinical Assistance
o Assisting the P*P or HCP with assessing a patient who is experiencing gender dysphoria or has presented themselves as a person seeking gender affirming care through the administration of cross-sex hormones.
Supporting Gender Diverse, Gender Variant & Transgender Individuals:
• Coaching, Counseling & Mentoring:
o Coaching & Counseling the Individual in partnership & consultation with their Therapist
Sharing my Pre & Post Gender Affirmation experiences and support.
o Preparing Individuals for their Gender Affirmation:
Personal, Medical & Legal issues
Medical Requirements for Affirmation Surgeries
Potential complications with family, siblings, friends, etc.
o Assisting Individuals through their Gender Affirmation:
Availability when questions or issues arise.
o Assisting Individuals; as may be required, after their Gender Affirmation:
Assistance through any “rough spots” they may encounter.
o Employment – Preparing for Gender Affirmation while Employed
Assisting the individual with human resource and senior management discussions and planning for reintegration into the workplace.
o Pre-Surgical Requirements – Planning & Preparation:
Financial Considerations
Expectations – Surgical Procedures – What to Expect: Discomfort, Pain, Recovery
Emotional Preparation
BMI – body mass index requirements, Physical fitness to assist surgical recovery
My Experiences & Disappointment with Surgeon’s Lack of Transparency! I interviewed with Five (5) different surgeons and not one, even the one I selected for my procedure, provided detailed information or an overview of what I should expect. Each interview lasted less than Seven (7) minutes.
o Post-Surgical Necessities & Requirements – Planning & Preparation:
Immediate aftercare: dilations, hygiene and self-care
Physical, Logistical & Emotional Support – Surgical Buddy
Ongoing medical and self-care
Establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle
o Initiating Gender Affirmation while Employed
Assisting the employer with the design, development & implementation of corporate and human resource policies and procedures relevant to transgender employees or applicants.
Assisting the human resource department and senior management for a smooth affirmation for the individual.
Provide assistance; coaching, counseling & mentoring, for the transgender individual before, during and after their affirmation while employed.
Professional development training for human resources and senior management so that they understand the evolution and needs of the transgender employee.
Inservice training for coworkers to accept, understand & incorporate the employee initiating Gender Affirmation while actively employed.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for an initial conversation and discussion to learn how my services may prove to be of value for you, your practice and your patients. As an Affirmed-Woman & LGBTQ+ Stakeholder; coupled with my experience, training and academic credentials, I am uniquely qualified to assist you, your organization and your clients / patients in the areas referenced herein. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Dr. Sorrentino Hosts the Paradoxes of Gender Podcasts: spreaker.com/user/17103208
Podcasts are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Audible and over 30 other platforms globally
and are Subscribed to by listeners in 27 different countries
