finding reliable medical practitioners

[Heather]

Hi Sally!

Please do not affirm or trust any therapist who advises you to do so. Please check out the following organizations. Your instincts not to lie to your son and go along with this lunacy are correct. Things get dicey with older kids who are capable of getting institutions to grant them legal privacy protections from you, and of course old fashion rebellion is always a risk with some kids.

Please don't lose faith in your knowledge of our own child, but also I would recommend reading some of the advice on these organizations' sites:

Therapy First

• Focus: Operates a high-volume referral program to match individuals and families with independent, licensed clinicians who prioritize exploratory therapy.
  
• URL: https://www.therapyfirst.org/
  

Beyond Trans

• Focus: Features a therapist directory committed to non-medicalized care, alongside weekly therapist-facilitated and peer-facilitated support groups for parents.
  
• URL: https://beyondtrans.org/
  

Genspect

• Focus: An international organization providing extensive educational resources, guidance tools, and support networks focused on psychological approaches to gender distress.
  
• URL: https://genspect.org/
  

Our Duty

• Focus: A global parental support network that provides peer groups and resource sharing to help families navigate psychological care options.
  
• URL: https://ourduty.group/