Support Letters for Gender-affirming Care
We write support letters for gender-affirming medical care following an evaluation, which can often be completed in one session. We always have openings for support letter assessments (for individuals located in the state of Massachusetts).
A note on the evaluation process
At Pride Counseling Solutions we recognize the gate-keeping role that we as therapists hold in this process, and the unbalanced power dynamic it creates. We believe in the informed care model and that every person is the expert on their own experiences, so we do not ask clients to "prove" their gender identity.
We try to minimize gate-keeping as much as possible while staying within the guidelines set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). These guidelines require mental health providers to provide letters attesting to whether clients are good candidates for gender affirming surgery.
Read more about the WPATH standards of care here.
What to expect
Here are some of the things we may ask about during an evaluation
Your gender journey
Your support system
Your transition plans
Your mental health
Your understanding of risks
What else you should know
In keeping with our commitment to equity and social justice, we do not have a set fee for letter assessments. We will bill a client's insurance if possible, and collect a copay if one exists. If a client does not have insurance or their insurance does not cover the assessment, we use a "Pay What You Can" model from $0-$150. We have no expectation for payment, and we never want a client's inability to pay to keep them from receiving a support letter.
If we are not able to schedule an evaluation appointment within a client's preferred time frame, we suggest checking the Gender Affirming Letter Access Project (GALAP) directory for another mental health provider that may be able to accommodate a sooner time. All GALAP pledge signers have agreed to provide a certain number of support letters free of charge.