Gender Dysphoria Counseling and Therapy 

Gender DysphoriaGender Dysphoria Counseling and Therapy
Written By Xiomara A. Sosa

Gender dysphoria is not the same as simply conforming to the stereotypical gender role behavior we are expected to conform to. It involves severe distress because of a very strong and pervasive need and desire to be another gender. This can be expressed in different ways. 

One very common way is through symptoms of a mood disorder, depression, or anxiety. Many individuals can also experience academic and social problems. A caring mental health professional can help with gender dysphoria-related mental health concerns. 

Mental health providers who are culturally competent in providing care to individuals dealing with gender dysphoria can help them safely explore their gender identity and find the gender role that feels the most comfortable for them. This helps to ease their distress which is extremely disruptive to their lives. All gender dysphoria-related care is individualized and what might be helpful for one individual might not be for another. 

Some options for treatment and care could include changes in gender expression and role, surgery, behavioral therapy, and/or hormone therapy. If you or someone you love has gender dysphoria, please seek a qualified medical or mental health professional who has expertise and cultural competency in the care of gender-diverse people. The appropriate providers will screen you for mental health concerns that might need to be worked through first, such as clinical anxiety or clinical depression. 

When these concerns are not addressed first it can make it much more difficult for individuals to appropriately explore their gender identity and ease their gender dysphoria. 

Summerville Women’s Mental Health Studio offers culturally competent mental health counseling and therapy for gender dysphoria. 

Register and schedule an appointment at https://api.portal.therapyappointment.com/n/public/clientRegistration/?therapistId=23A44F5EBEF441C8A7F8DC23FBAE9506

Text or call us at ‪(843) 695-9974‬

Reference https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20475262

Xiomara A. Sosa

Hi, my name is Xiomara A. Sosa. I am the owner and Clinical Director of Summerville Women’s Mental Health Services.

I am a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor-Candidate. I am supervised by Dr. Latrice Love, a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor.

I am Latina, born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, NY.

I am a first-generation college graduate and a very proud daughter of immigrants from Puerto Rico (a territory of the US) and the Dominican Republic.

When I am not working with the people I serve inside and outside of my communities, you can find me working on my nonprofit organization, The X-Studio: A Mental Health Cooperative, or on my podcast, The X-Podcast: Real Conversations About Mental Health.

Education

I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Phoenix University and my Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Forensic Counseling from Walden University, both CACREP-accredited universities.

I have been serving clients since 2012, working in case management and other capacities, including counseling/therapy. My work has been consistently serving women and all other underrepresented communities, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and the veteran community. The bulk of my work has been in anxiety, depression, dysphoria, and trauma/stressor-related disorders, and other specialty areas and issues.

My specialization is women’s mental health, integrative mental health (IMH), and multicultural counseling/therapy. My foundation is in cultural competency and social change advocacy. I focus on combining evidence-based treatment with alternative therapies. My focal point is on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms of a particular illness or concern. That includes mental health, physical health, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and spiritual needs. I help clients identify patterns in their lives that may contribute to their struggles and work on developing strategies for making healthier choices. I am also a 9/11 survivor and a proud United States Air Force and Army veteran. You can read my full bio on my website at www.swmhs.net

https://www.CounselorXiomaraASosa.com
Previous

Acculturation and Mental Health
Next

Mental Health Tip: When Dealing with Online Harassment