Lisette Lahana,MSW,LCSW (CA), LICSW (MA)
Consultation, Psychotherapy and Training
Frequently Asked Question: How Did You Become a Gender Specialist?
My interest in gender started in college when I took gender and sexuality theory courses as an undergraduate and completed a second bachelor's degree in Critical Gender Studies (Women's Studies). Later, I received my masters in social work in a program whose training focused on psychotherapy and clinical social work. (Smith College, 1997). While there, I helped bring student attention to transgender issues by creating a trans workshop to train fellow students when the 'T' was added to the graduate student's GLB Alliance. I focused my first years post graduation on community mental health in primarily Latino and African-American communities. I thank my first transgendered client for introducing me to this exciting field. In 1999 she walked into my office with bold, brave honesty about her (then his) desire to live life as a woman. Wishing to help her, I began to receive regular supervision (over the course of 3 years) with Senior Gender Specialists. I attended grassroots and professional gender conferences, became a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, lectured and taught other therapists about gender issues. I also founded a New England conference in 2007 to train therapists and other healthcare providers on providing welcoming and knowlegeable care to our trans clients.
What is a Gender Specialist?
While one half my practice serves those with general life issues, I decided to focus the other part of my practice on gender identity and sexuality. Since 1999 I have conducted psychotherapy with over 90 transgendered people.
As of December of 2007 I have helped 40 people who have decided to make a gender transition. Some of my clients have identifed as transsexual, transgendered, intersexed, crossdressers, genderqueer or others are simply exploring their gender identity. In addition, I have met with numerous family members,
partners, children and health care providers of trans clients. I find a rewarding part of my work involves educating the community and
other therapists about gender issues. It has been a joy to work with and continually learn from transgendered people and their loved ones.
There are growing numbers of transgendered people who are looking for therapists who are "transgender friendly" and know basics about what it means to be transgendered. Over the past few years I have been honored to share my knowledge and expertise, through individual consultation with therapists who are working with transgendered clients.
I have offered
Psychotherapy and Gender Identity Seminar
I welcome providers to call for consultation if you need help or guidance in your work with trans clients
:
(800) 928-9085
Email:LisetteLahana at yahoo.com
For a recent local article about population estimates for transgendered people featuring some quotes from Lisette Lahana
Link here
For a recent Hampshire Gazette article about transgendered people in Western Mass featuring Lisette Lahana
Link Here
A Gender Specialist is "...an active practitioner in psychotherapy, counseling, or education directly oriented toward gender-identity issues. It is recommended that care providers interested in establishing themselves
as Gender Specialists undergo a minimum of two years of direct supervision or consultation with a practicing Senior Gender Specialist who is recognized as having advanced experience in providing consultation to peer practitioners."
FromTransgender Care: Recommended Guidelines, Practical Information & Personal Accounts by Gianna E. Israel and Donald E. TarverII, M.D., copyright 1997, Page 12
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