Transforming Family
When children share that they are transgender or nonbinary, parents are overwhelmed with questions. However, each member of the family has distinct needs. Our programs are designed to support each member of the family. Transforming Family was created by parents ...
Hosted by Dr. Aydin Olson-Kennedy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, DSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in South Pasadena, CA 91031
When children share that they are transgender or nonbinary, parents are overwhelmed with questions. However, each member of the family has distinct needs. Our programs are designed to support each member of the family. Transforming Family was created by parents ...
Trans Women's Somatic Therapy Group
This is an ongoing somatic therapy group for trans women living in California. We meet virtually over Zoom. Fee is based on income. Please visit my website at kelsmithsomatics.com to apply.
Hosted by Kel Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MCP, AMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94114
This is an ongoing somatic therapy group for trans women living in California. We meet virtually over Zoom. Fee is based on income. Please visit my website at kelsmithsomatics.com to apply.
Transfeminine Peer Support Gathering
For many transfeminine individuals, moving towards greater authenticity often comes with inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences that can be difficult to navigate alone. Connection and support can ease and also bring joy to this journey. This free, monthly, peer led ...
Hosted by Caroline Carter
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in South Pasadena, CA 91030
For many transfeminine individuals, moving towards greater authenticity often comes with inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences that can be difficult to navigate alone. Connection and support can ease and also bring joy to this journey. This free, monthly, peer led ...
Trans/Nonbinary Adults- DBT Skills Group
Starting May 3rd, this DBT skills group for trans and/or nonbinary adults will focus on learning and practicing skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy's four skills modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Each module will last approximately 12 ...
Hosted by Frankie Phipps
Pre-Licensed Professional, APCC, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Starting May 3rd, this DBT skills group for trans and/or nonbinary adults will focus on learning and practicing skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy's four skills modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Each module will last approximately 12 ...
Transcendence: Trans Adult Process Group
This therapy group focuses on creating more fulfilling relationships and more empowered lives through connecting deeply, being seen, and healing together. We use a talking circle format (like passing a microphone, so one person talks at a time) to create ...
Hosted by Lou Bigelow
Registered Psychological Associate
Verified Verified
Group meets in Studio City, CA 91604
This therapy group focuses on creating more fulfilling relationships and more empowered lives through connecting deeply, being seen, and healing together. We use a talking circle format (like passing a microphone, so one person talks at a time) to create ...
Therapy Support Group for Parents of LGBTQ Youth
Many parents experience loss and uncertainty when their child acknowledges their identity as being something other than heterosexual or when their gender expression/identity doesn't match their assigned gender at birth. Exploring your emotions with others in similar situations provides insight ...
Hosted by Linda K Reeves
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Many parents experience loss and uncertainty when their child acknowledges their identity as being something other than heterosexual or when their gender expression/identity doesn't match their assigned gender at birth. Exploring your emotions with others in similar situations provides insight ...
Trans / Nonbinary Teen Family Support Group
This group is for transgender and nonbinary teens, along with their family members. The group is run from a gender-affirming perspective, designed to help support teens in their gender identity and help family members understand how they can help support ...
Hosted by Kimberly Alston-Stepnitz
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Davis, CA 95616
This group is for transgender and nonbinary teens, along with their family members. The group is run from a gender-affirming perspective, designed to help support teens in their gender identity and help family members understand how they can help support ...
Parents of Trans Teens Support Group
This is a FREE in-person group based in Napa, CA. If you have interest for doing the group virtually, please inquire. PTTSG is all about creating a space for parents or caregivers to discuss the challenges associated with have a ...
Hosted by Layla Subhani- Anxiety, Trauma, LGBTQ+
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Napa, CA 94558
This is a FREE in-person group based in Napa, CA. If you have interest for doing the group virtually, please inquire. PTTSG is all about creating a space for parents or caregivers to discuss the challenges associated with have a ...
Parents of Gender Diverse or Questioning Children
*This group is currently on hold Fall 2023 due to low interest. (Need 3 people to fulfill)* A group where parents can come together, learn, and share the excitements, struggles, surprises of raising gender nonconforming, nonbinary, or transgender children. Learn ...
Hosted by Katy Niles
Marriage & Family Therapist, MSMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Pasadena, CA 91101
*This group is currently on hold Fall 2023 due to low interest. (Need 3 people to fulfill)* A group where parents can come together, learn, and share the excitements, struggles, surprises of raising gender nonconforming, nonbinary, or transgender children. Learn ...
LGBTQ + Allies Weekly Support Group (Virtual)
GT Healthcare is proud to offer a safe and supportive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In this weekly group for all ages , we'll address unique challenges and concerns faced by individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Share your ...
Hosted by Macayla Meyers
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Laguna Beach, CA 92651
GT Healthcare is proud to offer a safe and supportive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In this weekly group for all ages , we'll address unique challenges and concerns faced by individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Share your ...
What About Me?
Therapy group for parents and spouses with gender transitioning family member. Gender transition includes the entire family. Learn ally behaviors and get professional as well as peer support as your family makes the transition together.
Hosted by Frank Patti, LMFT, Psy.D.
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Orange, CA 92867
Therapy group for parents and spouses with gender transitioning family member. Gender transition includes the entire family. Learn ally behaviors and get professional as well as peer support as your family makes the transition together.
Trans/Nonbinary Teen Support Group
This is a group forming, aimed at providing teens ages 14-18 with getting support, exploring identity and relationships (at school and home,) and building community.
Hosted by Kimberly Alston-Stepnitz
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Davis, CA 95616
This is a group forming, aimed at providing teens ages 14-18 with getting support, exploring identity and relationships (at school and home,) and building community.
épanouie Summer Program for Transfeminine Youth
July 2023- Join us for five fun-filled days of indoor and outdoor games, art projects, and education. Summer will be a blast, as you get creative and make new friends, while also learning important skills for growing up! Get Social! ...
Hosted by Caroline Carter
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in South Pasadena, CA 91030
July 2023- Join us for five fun-filled days of indoor and outdoor games, art projects, and education. Summer will be a blast, as you get creative and make new friends, while also learning important skills for growing up! Get Social! ...
Virtual Transmasculine Support Group
This weekly virtual group for transgender and gender nonconforming folks who identify anywhere on the transmasculine spectrum is a safe, nonjudgmental space for participants to share, process, and receive support around the nuances of gender identity exploration and the unique ...
Hosted by Iain Jasko
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94115
This weekly virtual group for transgender and gender nonconforming folks who identify anywhere on the transmasculine spectrum is a safe, nonjudgmental space for participants to share, process, and receive support around the nuances of gender identity exploration and the unique ...
Karyn A. Anderson, LMFT
Hi, everyone and welcome, I am Karyn A. Anderson, LMFT. I have been in practice for 33 years, I specialize in adult client's (I do NOT see children or teens). In addition, I am trained in TFCBT, CBT, Mindfulness, relaxation, ...
Hosted by Karyn A Anderson, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Pasadena, CA 91104
Hi, everyone and welcome, I am Karyn A. Anderson, LMFT. I have been in practice for 33 years, I specialize in adult client's (I do NOT see children or teens). In addition, I am trained in TFCBT, CBT, Mindfulness, relaxation, ...
Transgender Support Group (18+)
Please come to my monthly Transgender Support Group, which meets on the LAST Sunday of every month from 3:30-5pm in Laguna Niguel. This group is for adults, anywhere on the transition spectrum. Free. There will also be an opportunity for ...
Hosted by Dr. Roxanne Cherry
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Please come to my monthly Transgender Support Group, which meets on the LAST Sunday of every month from 3:30-5pm in Laguna Niguel. This group is for adults, anywhere on the transition spectrum. Free. There will also be an opportunity for ...
LGBTQ+ Teen Group starts on 07/01/23
NOW ENROLLING for Teenagers (Middle School - High School age) individuals. Navigating adolescence is tough enough and gender or sexual identification is another layer to add to the stresses of growing up. Our virtual, 8-week groups provide a safe, welcoming ...
Hosted by John Cabonce
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC, ASW, PPS
Verified Verified
Group meets in Victorville, CA 92392
NOW ENROLLING for Teenagers (Middle School - High School age) individuals. Navigating adolescence is tough enough and gender or sexual identification is another layer to add to the stresses of growing up. Our virtual, 8-week groups provide a safe, welcoming ...
Virtual Queer and Transgender Process Group
Our lives are lived in groups; of friends, coworkers, family, neighbors, culture, & society. Therapy in groups can embolden us for a life lived in community. This is a virtual group for adults in California of any gender, age, and ...
Hosted by Becker Grumet
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Los Angeles, CA 90018
Our lives are lived in groups; of friends, coworkers, family, neighbors, culture, & society. Therapy in groups can embolden us for a life lived in community. This is a virtual group for adults in California of any gender, age, and ...
Wombat Mental Health Services, LCSW PC
We understand the importance of providing equitable access to culturally appropriate, non-judgmental, and affirmative mental health services to individuals who have historically faced barriers in accessing care, including the Deaf, Disabled, LGBTQIA2S, BIPOC communities. At Wombat Mental Health Services, we ...
Hosted by Dr. Erik James Escareño
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, DSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
We understand the importance of providing equitable access to culturally appropriate, non-judgmental, and affirmative mental health services to individuals who have historically faced barriers in accessing care, including the Deaf, Disabled, LGBTQIA2S, BIPOC communities. At Wombat Mental Health Services, we ...
Queering Faith
Group therapy can help you build community, share common experiences, and work out issues together. Join us and process what it’s like to come from a faith-based background and be queer with others who understand and share your experience. Here's ...
Hosted by Sobia Saleem Psychotherapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Group therapy can help you build community, share common experiences, and work out issues together. Join us and process what it’s like to come from a faith-based background and be queer with others who understand and share your experience. Here's ...
See more therapy options for California
Transgender Support Groups
As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.