Gender Therapist?

[LJH24]

What exactly makes someone a "gender therapist"?  Does a gender therapist need to have special experience or education in order to be a gender therapist or can therapists who are LGBTQ friendly just call themselves gender therapists?

[Jailyn]

No you do have to school to be considered a therapist or a counselor. Like 8 years of college then they specialize in gender therapy. Just like being a doctor you specialize in a certain field, it's the same way. So you can be LGBTQ and go into therapy. Generally I think most gender therapists are cis-gender but, that doesn't make them any less qualified. Yes, you can't just call yourself one unfortunately.

[Dena]

A gender therapist should have training in gender specific topics. A therapist might still be able to treat somebody with gender issues as therapist are exposed to all areas of treatment. Normally it's best to ask a therapist what their background is and how much experience they have had in the area they are treating. Somebody new to the area isn't necessarily bad but if they have treated a large number of people and few have completed treatment, that might be a warning sign. We have encountered therapist who are reluctant to write letters after years of therapy indicating a possible problem with their training or their policies.

[LJH24]

Thanks for the help, Dena and Jailyn.