Pg.5

 Resource Directory

My writing on its own is a resource. For those who wish to critique my site or what I have written, I can only say don't bother. I believe our lives are difficult enough in varying degrees without adding to the mix of things. Sharing "MY" experience has been a most painful catharsis. I would be the last person not to understand treatment and all things related to the profoundly Gender Dysphoric has expanded as have resources and public awareness but not nearly enough.
My bio is mine. While my written passages are probably verbose as I said before, please respect it for what it is and as it is. I am a survivor ! Because I love people hearing from my fellow sisters and brothers along with those seeking information or extending a friendly hell-o is a great thing. So I am going to accept communications and see how it goes.  NOTE: However, if stupid, nasty and inappropriate raises its head in what people write, I will remove that very possibility at once. Gettin cranky in my old age! But some years back I co-owned the largest public transgender chat site on the globe. I know how folks act. So spare me and you the trouble and please be nice. You may   and thank you.

I will write you as my time and health allows. If you do not receive an immediate reply don't be surprised. If I miss your kind communication,  then know now how sorry I will be.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and have possibly found useful information here.
C. J.

CLINICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT: SEE LINKS BELOW :
Support groups are  a great entity and needed.  However they may not provide complete professionally geared diagnostic program services for individuals of profound Gender Dysphoria. Support is where you find it......which is to say, support groups are a place for acceptance, making new friends, education, sharing of information, learning and gateways to your future whatever you choose it to be; creating a genuine supportive group for you. Should you not already know, many of the support groups have social dances and other activities which are great forums. My Personal belief about our journey is the great importance in understanding each persons path is their experience-of their experiences-as their experience- of their experience and so on......different and unique to only them. Thus if there are overwhelming issues, private therapy one-to-one with a proficient gender dysphoria therapist separate from a support group might be something of consideration as an advantage toward self-exploration and healthy coping.

Just remember to ask questions of any clinic and or support group to ensure it offers what is right for you and or your family member / friend. I write these things with-out intent to talk down to anyone. I just know
so many like me did not know what to expect. My wish is to promote your comfort if others have not already done so. We must be survivors.
Again, I believe there is a great importance in understanding each persons experience is different and unique only to them because some folks do not get that. I didn't recognize this immediately............but I learned.  As I have said, going through transition is all consuming. People wish to help their brothers
and sisters.  We're most fortunate but not all knowing. I like to say, always remember who you are and what is best for your success. I speak to an associated topic here on my 'Sharing Page" because of the hazards in the balance which are too much of a risk of life to ignore.....And yes I have a good deal to share. I know things have changed a lot. But if nothing else I sincerely hope my story will at least if only by comparison show how far we have come
and a glimpse of ones  experience of their experience. My wish for you is to know what has been and what will be.


Disclaimer :
The linked pages maintained in relation to the this website and the opinions or
information contained within those web links are the creation of outside parties
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Courtney Josten.  Links from this
website are only provided for your information and convenience. I do not accept
responsibility for information on them or information found through links from
the websites I have listed. A link does not imply I endorse a particular site unless I have indicated same.

If an inactive link is discovered, please write me or leave a message in my G.B.

Clinics Within The USA :

Pathways Gender Clinic / Wisconsin
http://www.pathwayscounseling.com/
Contacts:
Gretchen Fincke, MSSW, LCSW, Administrative DirectorA certified sex therapist, psychotherapist, professional educator and trainer,
Ms. Fincke founded the Milwaukee Transgender Program in 1983, now a nationally recognized program. A certified sex therapist since 1978, she began working with gender dysphoria in 1976. She has provided supervision for those seeking sex therapy certification since 1984. Gretchen chaired the Wisconsin Chapter of AASECT from 1990-94.

Meredith Leischer, MS (Community Counseling), Provides diagnosis and treatment for depression, anxiety, relationship, sexual orientation, and life issues. She also specializes in gender dysphoria and follows Harry Benjamin Standards of Care guidelines for treatment of gender change issues. 

If you would like to speak with either Gretchen, or Meredith then please call (262) 641-9790 or send one of them an email. To send an email to any individual, click on their name.

Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Centre
www.apiwellness.org
In addition to a primary care clinic offering medical and psychiatric services to all Asian and Pacific Islander people affected or infected by HIV, APIWC offers two social/support programs for Asian/Pacific Islander transgender| people, transgender-specific educational materials, and research on HIV prevention in transgender communities.

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (CLCHC)
www.callen-lorde.org
Medical centre that specifically serves the GLBT community. Offers a wide range of health services to trans people, including general primary health care, prescription and monitoring of hormones, counseling, education, assistance with legal forms (e.g., name change), and referrals to gender-transition surgeons. They also offer gynecological care and mammography services that are described as "trans-affirmative".

Dimensions - Castro-Mission Health Center
www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/HlthCtrs/castro-mission.htm
Comprehensive health care clinic for GLBT and questioning youth aged 12 to 25, open four hours per week at the Castro-Mission Health Center. Trans-specific services include hormone assessment, prescription, and maintenance.

Fenway Community Health
www.fenwayhealth.org
Large GLBT health center affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. Offers wide range of health research programs and health care, including primary care, HIV/AIDS services, OB/GYN care, podiatry, nutritional counseling, mental health and addiction services, complementary therapies (chiropractic, massage, acupuncture), violence prevention and services for survivors, health promotion, and parenting/family services.

Gender Dysphoria Program of Central Ohio (GDPCO)
www.genderprogram.com/contact.html
Private fee-for-service program for people who wish to undergo gender transition (with or without hormones and/or surgery). Individual counseling, group support, and assessment/referrals for hormones and surgery are offered.

Gender Identity Clinic of New England (GICNE)
www.gicne.org
Private, fee-for service counseling for people with gender concerns, and assessments of transsexuals to determine readiness for hormones and surgery.

Gender Identity Project - LBGT Community Center
www.gaycenter.org/programs/mhss/gip.html
Free and confidential addiction counseling, HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention services, one-on-one peer support and support groups, information and referrals to transgender specialist services, community health education, and education/ sensitivity training for health professionals. Transgender legal clinic one night a month to help transgender people with legal change of name and identification.

Green Mountain Gender Clinic
hometown.aol.com/grnmtclin
Formed by specialists in transgender medicine to coordinate services for transsexuals undergoing gender transition. Offers all the services listed in the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care (assessment/diagnosis, counseling, endocrinology, surgery, and post-transition follow-up).

Ingersoll Gender Centre
www.ingersollcenter.org
Runs peer support groups, organizes social events, and maintains a clearinghouse of information for transgender people, family members, and other service providers. Contracted therapists offer fee-for-service assessment, counseling, and exploration of options relating to transition and cross dressing.

LA Gay & Lesbian Centre (LAGLC)
www.laglc.org
Wide range of educational, social, and health programs for GLBR people. LAGLA's Lambda Medical Group offers crisis intervention, intake/assessment, and counseling for individuals, couples, and families; addictions counseling; services for survivors of same-sex relationship abuse and for same-sex abusers; sexual health and prevention, testing, and treatment of STDs; and HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and care services. Residential services offer homeless lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender youth safe emergency and short-term housing, meals, employment training, and intensive support, and a legal clinic provides assistance at no charge.

Lyon-Martin Women's Health Services
www.sfccc.org/clinics/lmwhs.htm
Women's health center in San Francisco with strong lesbian focus, providing primary care, gynecology, HIV/AIDS care, cancer screening, support groups, community forums, addictions programs, and outreach to homeless women. Explicitly includes trans women and offers hormone assessment/prescription for those undergoing gender transition.

Transgender Clinic- Dr Hammill Transgender Health Clinic,  Houston TX.
http://drhammill.transhouston.com/index.shtml
Scheduling: Patients may make appointments at any time of the week. 
Professional Standards of Care: We use the Health Law Standards of Care published by ICLEPT. 
Treatment Goals: "Each patient has goal(s) they wish to attain.
My goal as a healthcare provider is to help you get there safely".

Prevention Point Philadelphia
www.critpath.org/ppp
Through education, outreach and advocacy, PPP addresses the health and social service needs of drug users and sex workers by providing culturally-sensitive, non-judgmental prevention and care services. A new transgender component provides outreach, referrals, health information, and support to trans people who are at risk for HIV and/or Hepatitis C.

Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center
www.tarcsf.org
Emergency and long-term housing, medical care, counseling and peer support, and nutrition supplements to people living in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Many transgender people live and/or work on the streets in the Tenderloin; as part of its mandate to provide services to all members of the Tenderloin, transgender people are explicitly welcomed as service users, staff, and volunteers, and a transgender support group meets daily.

Transgender Clinic - Tom Waddell Health Center
www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/HlthCtrs/transgender.htm
Comprehensive range of primary care services, including hormone assessment, prescription, and maintenance; urgent care; nutrition assistance; acupuncture; smoking cessation; and a peer support group supervised by a staff social worker.