What is Consultation and Education?

According to Oxford Dictionary, consultation refers to "A meeting with an expert or professional, in order to seek advice" and education is defined as, "an enlightening experience". 

At Healing Village, this is the process of meeting with a professional of lived experience with recognized expertise in the care of transgender and gender diverse people. 

Why meet with a professional? Isn't this information available online?

The internet is a wealth of information. However, as the saying goes, "You can't believe everything you see on the internet.". 

In recent years, there has been an explosion of misinformation and misdirection about what it means to be transgender or gender diverse, how to support folks questioning their gender, and what options are available for people experiencing gender incongruence who want to move toward congruence (whatever that may mean for them). 

Unfortunately, there has also been an abundance of people with and without professional backgrounds who have used the need of the TGEQ community as a platform to put forth information presented as fact, which is actually not evidence-based and is rooted in trans-based biases (also known as transphobia) with the agenda to cause harm, erasure, and oppression to an already marginalized community. These people promote studies which are taken out of context or do not follow the scientific model (such as studying parent support by recruiting from parents who are unsupportive or resistant).

By meeting with a professional of lived experience, who specializes in the field, and who has devoted their professional career to knowledgeable care, you can be assured that you're getting the most accurate and up-to-date information. In the event Abbie does not have the answer or the most up to date information, they have multi-disciplinary contacts across the medical and mental health fields, and they'll do everything in their power to find the relevant information.

What if I am starting with limited understanding?

That's okay! The experience will be tailored to your knowledge and learning goals. 

This space is considered a "brave space", where you're asked to step in, be brave, and ask questions in the best language you have. This "bravery" means being willing to sit with your own discomfort, acknowledge instances in which you may have caused harm, and be willing to undertake a shift in behavior, emotional reactions, and how you think about things.

What can I expect?

Typically, this takes place over 1-3 sessions, though there's no hard limit. Sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes and can be as frequent as weekly to allow time to "sit with" and process the material from sessions. 

Sessions are tailored to your goals and needs, so you get the most out of your time. This may include use of PowerPoint presentations and/or resources to review outside of our time together.

What does this cost? Why?

The cost is $120 per session. This service is not covered by insurance because there is no diagnosis involved, which is required for insurance coverage.

I'm ready to move forward. What are the next steps?

Congratulations! One of my core values is ensuring that people who come to me for services are connected with the best possible provider for their goals. This means I require a free 20-minute consultation to ensure I'm the best possible fit. This process is relatively automated, you can get the process started by completing the Services Interest form on the Contact page.