Description:  This workshop is intended to prepare behavioral health providers to appropriately assess clients seeking Gender Affirming Surgical procedures through the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of behavioral health care for gender diverse individuals. Participants will review common psychosocial concerns, behavioral health needs, treatment goals, ethical considerations, surgical-candidate assessment and advocacy in gender affirming care and will become familiar with best practices in composing surgery recommendation letters. Finally, learners will explore the integrated care role of behavioral health clinicians in surgical-candidate assessment and support.

Learning objectives:  

• Describe the rationale of WPATH Standards of Care (v. 7) and requirements of assessment for gender affirming surgery
• Define the role of behavioral health providers in conducting assessments for gender affirming surgery
• Apply therapeutic skills to conduct assessment of medical necessity of gender affirming surgery as per WPATH SOC requirements
• Explain, in consumer-friendly terms, important considerations for readiness to undergo gender affirming procedures
• Analyze patient knowledge and understanding of gender affirming procedures, risks/complications, recovery and outcomes
• Interpret and explain differences in insurance coverages and requirements
• Identify the components of and write adequate letters of support for gender affirming surgeries as per WPATH guideline

Target audience:    Primarily Behavioral Health providers. Medical clinicians and support teams may benefit from learning more about what is required for a surgical letter. 

Content level: Beginner
Pre-requisites:  None 
Available credits: 6 CE