Writing Letters of Support for Gender Affirming Procedures for TGNC Clients

Join Nicholas Moran, LMHC in this three-hour virtual training to gain greater competencies with creating, maintaining and practicing skills to become a gender- affirming provider.

This course provides applicable skills regarding drafting a letter of support for gender- expansive clients seeking gender-affirming medical procedures to affirm the client’s gender identity. Participants will learn about the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of care for gender-affirming surgeries.

With an in-depth exploration of each necessary component of a letter of support for gender-affirming procedures, participants will also be provided a template for letter writing upon completion and an opportunity to ask reflective questions and receive case consultation.

3 CEs are available for NYS LMHCs, LMSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs, LCATs, NYS Licensed Psychologists, and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts upon completion of training.

Objectives:

1. Participants will understand and recognize the differences between gatekeeping and informed consent for gender-affirming surgical interventions.

2. Participants will learn about the WPATH standards of care for gender-affirming surgeries.

3. Participants will learn how to provide gender-affirming surgery letters in a supportive and empowering manner for gender-expansive clients.

4. Participants will be provided with tools and resources necessary to reflect on their own practice and identify areas that may create barriers and challenges for transgender and gender non-conforming clients.

5. Participants will receive a template to assist them with writing letters of support for gender-expansive clients seeking gender-affirming medical procedures to affirm the client’s gender identity.

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to three business days prior to the start of the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Nicholas Moran, LMHC (they/them/theirs) is a queer and non-binary New York State licensed mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, educator and consultant on anti-oppression, mental health, gender/sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues. They have had experience working with individuals, couples, and groups who are struggling with various issues, including but not limited to: trauma/abuse, gender/sexual identity, anxiety, depression, substance use, acculturation, racial identity exploration, and dismantling internalized inferiority and/or superiority.

Nicholas graduated from the Point Park University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology where they completed a research study regarding the ongoing coming out process for queer men. Nicholas completed a dual masters degree: Masters of the Arts in Psychological Counseling and a Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, where they took extensive course work and engaged in research initiatives surrounding queer and gender expansive microaggressions/mental health concerns. Nicholas completed a clinical internship at Mount Sinai West - The Addictions Institute of New York working primarily with the Crystal Clear Project that assisted queer and TGNC clients withcrystal methamphetamine dependence. Nicholas started their career working with clients who have mental health, medical, and substance use concerns at a substance use treatment program in the South Bronx through Montefiore Medical Center. They worked at a queer affirmative group private practice and now run a successful private practice for therapy, coaching, and consultation services. Nicholas also teaches as an adjunct professor for mental health counseling students at both Teachers College, Columbia University and New York University.

Nicholas has had the privilege of working in and amongst diverse populations, which has reframed their approach to therapy in order to ensure that it is more adaptable, accessible, and demystified. They believe that therapy for too long has been a space that perpetuates the harmful ideologies in psychology that are rooted in whiteness, capitalism, and dehumanization.

Therefore, Nicholas draws upon queer, intersectional feminist, humanistic, multicultural, trauma-informed, decolonized, sex/body positive, and anti-oppressive theories to foster an egalitarian and collaborative relationship. Nicholas has extensive experience working with queer and straight clients, couples, and groups surrounding exploring sexuality/gender, kinks, consensual non-monogamy, and polyamory. They also have experience providing clinical documentation in support for gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-expansive individuals. Listening, validation, curiosity, challenging, and accountability are important features of Nicholas's approach to their work with their clients.

Through consultation, Nicholas seeks to amplify the messages and teachings of Queer, TGNC, & BIPOC to create affirming practices/policies. As a supervisor, they aim to assist my supervisees and colleagues with developing culturally responsive approaches to therapy. Nicholas collaborates with their clients to (re)claim their authentic self through a process of creativity, playfulness, compassion, somatic/imagination exercises, and critical reflection.

Nicholas is a proud cancer survivor, who provides one-on-one mentorship through the Imerman Angels organization. They have been a lifelong advocate and accomplice for dismantling oppressive systems, through which they are actively engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives for two organizations: Montefiore Medical Center and Point Park University. Nicholas has lived experience with and continues to engage in their own therapeutic healing surrounding trauma, abuse, sex work, their own gender and sexual identities, and the loss of their brother.

Nicholas has personally experienced the benefits of individual, couples, and group therapy both as a clinician and as a client. Engaging in their own daily practices of journaling, meditation, and gratitude reflections, Nicholas has come to cultivate a sense of clarity, awareness, and self-love which inspires them to share with their clients as well.

Honesty, transparency, and authenticity are important traits Nicholas brings into their therapeutic spaces as well as the brave spaces into which they have the privilege of being invited. They are humbled to have the opportunity to be here today to share both their lived experience as a gender-expansive client and affirming provider.

Event Venue

Online