Recommending Transsexual Clients for Gender Transition: A Therapeutic Tool for Assessing Readiness

ABSTRACT

Despite transsexuals' dependence on the mental health system for referrals for medical treatment for gender transition, therapists generally lack training and experience with this population. This article introduces therapists to the concept of transgender and reviews the historical context of the transgender movement. The means for assessing transsexual clients' readiness for gender transition are reviewed. An assessment tool is proposed by incorporating existing literature, personal experiences with transsexual clients, and client feedback that can be used by any mental health professional to determine clients' readiness for gender transition.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender
• transsexual
• gender transition
• assessment
• sex reassignment
• therapy