An Intake Template for Transgender, Transsexual, Genderqueer, Gender Nonconforming, and Gender Variant College Students Seeking Mental Health Services

Abstract

As more students identify as transgender and genderqueer, it is essential that staff at college counseling centers are knowledgeable about gender diversity. This article provides a template for intake and initial assessment with transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and gender nonconforming students. It familiarizes clinicians with gender-affirming language and offers a list of questions to ask. Topics covered include: gender history, coming out, self-injury, suicide, sexual orientation, binding, transition trajectories, options for gender expression, issues with diagnosis and recordkeeping, and interdisciplinary approaches to treatment. The intake is an opportunity to provide comfort and support for students of all genders.

Keywords:

• college counseling
• gender identity
• genderqueer
• gender variant
• intake
• transgender

Notes

1. There have been cases in which insurance companies denied coverage for nongender-related care because the person had a Gender Identity Disorder diagnosis in their chart. There are also cases in which people seeking medical care are refused treatment or receive inferior treatment because of provider prejudice against transgender people.