ChristianaCare has opened a new Gender Wellness Program to support the LGBTQ+ community. The program offers psychotherapy and support services to people aged 13 and older who experience gender dysphoria or are exploring their gender identity.
The Gender Wellness Program also addresses related mental health and behavior conditions such as anxiety and depression. According to National Institutes of Health transgender people have considerably higher rates of suicide attempts than individuals who do not identify as transgender.
The program follows World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines to provide the highest standard of care for the health of transsexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming people. “ChristianaCare aims to provide the safest, highest quality health care and the best experience possible for our entire community, guided by our values of love and excellence,” said Mustafa A. Mufti, M.D., interim chair of the ChristianaCare Department of Psychiatry.
Brett E. Herb, DSW, LCSW, program manager of the Gender Wellness Program, has more than 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist and a clinical and administrative manager and has been working with the transgender and gender-diverse populations for the past 17 years. “Our Gender Wellness Program is ready to support anyone age 13 or older who is exploring their gender identity, experiencing gender dysphoria, or who needs education and support around social and medical transition,” said Dr.Herb
The Gender Wellness Program also offers referrals to professionals specializing in trans-competent care who prescribe gender-affirming hormone treatments and specialists for gynecological and obstetrics care.
Julie Brown speaks on her experience with the program, saying “This program has provided me with tremendous support throughout my transition. My therapist empathizes with what I am experiencing in my life, and has guided me through my evolution. The group therapy sessions help me understand that I am not alone.”
Gender therapists at the Gender Wellness Program are:
- Brett E. Herb, DSW, LCSW, Program Manager.
- Amanda Pope Evans, MSW, LCSW.
- Katherine Goemaat-Suarez, MSW, LCSW.
Christiana and Wilmington hospitals have been recognized by the Healthcare Equality Index as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader for the past 11 years.
To learn more contact the Gender Wellness Program at genderwellnessprogram@christianacare.org or call 302-623-6773.For more on ChristianaCare’s LGBTQ+ health initiatives, visit LGBTQ Health Initiatives.
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