Gender Affirming Care Readiness Assessments

At Hearthstone we are proud to be able to offer gender affirming care readiness assessments with our counsellor Victoria (she/her). She is a queer counsellor that specializes in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in many areas of their life, including gender affirming care. Her approach is compassionate, informed, and committed to empowering clients to navigate their gender journey with confidence.

One of the first steps before accessing gender affirming care is a readiness assessment. This assessment is required by some doctors before prescribing hormone treatment and is required by TransCare BC before gender affirming surgery.

The goal of this assessment is not to gate keep care, but to instead to ensure informed consent about your care and ensure you have the supports in place for your journey. This is a collaborate evaluation and Victoria strives to make sure that she takes as much of the stress out of this part of the process as she can. This assessment is not designed to determine the validity of your gender or experience, but to instead ensure that you access the care that you deserve. Victoria understands that gender affirming care is life saving and that it is essential to break down the barriers in the way. 

Victoria offers gender affirming care assessments for adults and youth aged 16 and over who are exploring or pursuing gender-affirming medical care. You may benefit from an assessment if:

-  you are working with a health care provider that has requested an assessment/letter before starting hormones or referring you for top surgery (Victoria is unable to provide an assessment for bottom surgery as this has to be done by a medical professional)

- You need a supporting letter for your medical provider to request treatment

- Have been required to have an assessment by TransCare BC as part of your referral process for top surgery

Whether you are just beginning to explore your gender identity, or you’ve been on your path for years, this assessment is here to support your autonomy, goals, and access to care.

This assessment is meant for all gender identities and expressions, including trans men, trans women, non-binary, genderqueer, Two-Spirit, agender, and questioning individuals. Assessments are offered in a supportive, nonjudgmental space, grounded in respect for your self-knowledge and lived experience.

This assessment consists of a 90-minute virtual appointment and a letter that is provided within 2 weeks of your appointment. Some of the topics covered in this appointment are:

- Early Awareness of Gender and Family Context

- Current Gender Expression

- Social Supports and Relationships

- Expectations of Care

- Informed Consent

Victoria embraces the WPATH standards of care (https://wpath.org) during all steps of the assessment and support. 

The cost of the assessment is $390 which includes: 

- 90-minute online appointment

- A written report of the assessment provided within 2 weeks of the appointment

Victoria will review the assessment/letter with you before it is provided to your doctor/TransCare BC. 

This service may be covered by insurance if you have coverage for clinical counselling, however we do not direct bill to insurance. 

To get started in this process or if you have questions, we encourage you to book a free 20-minute consult with Victoria.