Integrated Behavioral Health Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse People: An Affirming, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Responsive Approach
Year Developed: 2023
Resource Type: Publication.Primary Audience: Clinicians
PCAs
Secondary Audience: Administrative Staff
Enabling Staff
Outreach Staff
Language(s): English
Developed by: National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute (See other resources developed by this organization).
Resource Summary: Integrated behavioral health care cannot eliminate all barriers and health inequities experienced by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. It can, however, serve as a bridge to overall wellness, and can fulfill functions associated with primary care, and in doing so, can represent a low-barrier, harm reduction method of meeting patients’ needs. It can provide a setting to address mental health concerns that may arise from the process of negotiating one’s identity as a TGD person, being denied certain forms of health care, or navigating spaces where one’s value is diminished. Integrated behavioral health care can also help to facilitate the initiation and management of gender-affirming hormone therapy, thereby reducing the need for referrals to specialty providers, eliminating wait times, and enhancing patient and provider satisfaction.
Resource Details:
Resource Topic: Clinical Issues, Special and Vulnerable Populations
Resource Subtopic: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
Keywords: Access to Care, Gender Identity, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health.This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $6,625,000 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.