Psychological Counseling

Through in-person and virtual meetings, Gender Wellness of Los Angeles (GWLA) provides psychological counseling for individuals — and their families, when appropriate — at any point of the journey towards reconciling one’s gender identity. Inevitably, meeting the challenges requires us to address behavioral health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and social difficulties that often accompany the gender-diverse person’s journey.

GWLA therapists work one-on-one with:

• pre-teens and adolescents which, sometimes, happens in combination with family members;
• adults across the gender identity and sexual orientation spectrums;
• couples seeking relationship therapy.

Therapy Support Groups

Depending on interest level and scheduling variables, Casey Weitzman and Grace O’Connor also lead therapy support groups. Each individual’s journey is unique, but it can be comforting and helpful to share your story with other folks who travel a similar path. It’s vitally important to our mental health to know — and to feel — that we’re not alone.

Medical & Services Referrals

GWLA can provide the necessary documentation needed for gender-affirming surgery and other procedures that require a letter from a mental health provider. To be clear, this is not an a la carte-type of service — it’s provided for clients under the care of GWLA and after careful consultation with the client.

All GWLA clients benefit from our esteemed network of medical and relevant service professionals which can be of great assistance in one’s journey. Each of them are experts in their respective fields and we have developed enduring, trusted relationships as we rally behind the notion that “it takes a village” to care for the unique challenges of our clients.

Corporate & Organizational Guidance

While some may refer to this as “sensitivity training,” we think it’s more akin to erasing the fear of the unknown — one, though, that is quickly becoming more (and more) known. The sharp rise in visibility of gender-expansive folks in recent years presents an understandable challenge for businesses and organizations, of all kinds, who wish to provide a respectful environment for an increasingly diverse workforce. For some, developing a greater understanding about transgender and non-binary folks may also allow for greater connection with customers or clients who, now, openly identify as transgender or non-binary. However this plays out, Gender Wellness of Los Angeles is proud to help facilitate organizational awareness. For examples, in 2022, GWLA presented workshops to:

• the clinician team at Community West, a treatment center providing comprehensive mental health programs for adolescents and young adults;
• members of the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists about effective ways to provide support, guidance, and information to the transgender and non-binary youth community, their families, and allies.