Gender Confirmation Surgery Evaluations & Readiness Assessments

At GBCC, we recognize that accessing gender-affirming medical and surgical treatments can be challenging for transgender and gender diverse individuals for many reasons. There are times when medical providers and/or insurance companies require transgender and gender diverse individuals to have a mental health evaluation before they are cleared for a medically necessary treatment. In our commitment to providing affirming care, we strive to make these evaluations and referrals as supportive as possible.

Our clinical staff who conduct these evaluations have devoted significant time and training to developing the skills necessary to conduct Gender-Affirming Surgery Evaluations, and to provide guidance, support, and advocacy to patients seeking access to Hormone Therapy (HT) and other gender-affirming medical/surgical treatments. We do not give medical advice, but we can provide referrals to affirming, competent medical providers. We seek to help our patients feel informed, prepared, and empowered with respect to their gender-affirming medical care.

When calling to arrange for an evaluation/assessment for gender-affirming medical/surgical treatments, please specify the type of service needed, so that you can be matched with a therapist with the appropriate training and skill.

Before scheduling a surgical readiness assessment with us, try to do as many as possible of the following:

Identify the procedure you wish to have (e.g., chest masculinization surgery, orchiectomy, phalloplasty)
Identify the surgeon(s) you are considering to complete your procedure
Identify whether the surgeon requires a letter (or letters) from a mental health provider in advance of your procedure and/or consultation with them, and what their individual letter requirements are (your surgeon’s website and/or administrative office can usually help with this)
Explore the costs you can expect, including whether your desired provider takes your insurance and whether your insurance covers the procedure (your surgeon’s administrative office can often help with this)
If your procedure requires hair removal in advance (usually required for genital surgeries), explore your local options for laser and/or electrolysis, including costs and timeline.
Learn as much as you can about the procedure you wish to have, including pre- and post-operative care requirements and timelines. Here are some resources we recommend:

Doing these things in advance of meeting with us will prepare you for an effective, efficient surgery evaluation process and will help us to support you in getting the care you need.

Click here for a list of providers who specialize in these assessments.

Identify the procedure you wish to have (e.g., chest masculinization surgery, orchiectomy, phalloplasty)

Identify the surgeon(s) you are considering to complete your procedure

Identify whether the surgeon requires a letter (or letters) from a mental health provider in advance of your procedure and/or consultation with them, and what their individual letter requirements are (your surgeon’s website and/or administrative office can usually help with this)

Explore the costs you can expect, including whether your desired provider takes your insurance and whether your insurance covers the procedure (your surgeon’s administrative office can often help with this)

If your procedure requires hair removal in advance (usually required for genital surgeries), explore your local options for laser and/or electrolysis, including costs and timeline.

Learn as much as you can about the procedure you wish to have, including pre- and post-operative care requirements and timelines. Here are some resources we recommend: