Health

Finding a therapist

It’s important to make sure that your therapist understands and uplifts your experiences. Here’s some places where you can find inclusive therapists.

Things to consider: why are you going to therapy/how do you want it to help you (trauma, anxiety, depression, daily stressors, etc), do they accept my insurance, do they have a sliding scale available, how do they demonstrate their cultural competency, do they uplift my identity, is it easy to get to where they’re located, etc. Here are some databases to start your search

https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/ - nationwide database of therapists, specifically for LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC

https://ingersollgendercenter.org/ingersoll-directory/ - Inclusive medical providers (physical, mental, gender affirming care, etc) in Western Washington

https://www.nwnetwork.org/ - services/support for LGBTQ+ survivors of abuse, based in Western Washington

https://www.washington.edu/counseling/ - short-term mental health services for UW students, can help you find a long-term solution

UW Counseling Center

The counseling center provides individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, mental health resources, and referrals for long-term care. To begin meeting with a counselor, you must first schedule an appointment. This is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and develop a treatment plan with a counselor. To schedule an appointment, call us at 206.543.1240.Learn more at www.washington.edu/counseling

Hall Health

To set up an appointment call - (206) 685-1011

Hall Health provides gender affirming care and support for trans students, staff, and community members. They take an informed consent approach, so for care such as receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) the patient will only need to sign a consent form in a meeting with the provider.

Learn more about how to seek out gender affirming care and what the process will be like at https://wellbeing.uw.edu/gender-affirming-care/

UW Medicine

UW Medicine is the hospital associated with the University of Washington, they offer a variety of gender affirming medical and surgical care. They offer surgeries for all folks including top surgeries, bottom surgeries, middle surgeries, facial surgery, and voice modification surgery. They also provide primary care (regular preventative medical care, management of chonic conditions, sexual health services, and HRT) and specialty care in endocrinology (HRT included) and Obstetrics & Gynecology (cancer screenings, endometriosis, STI treatment, PCOS, fertility, and pregnancy management). Learn more at https://depts.washington.edu/tgnbhealthprogram/

Pharmacies

New to the area? First time picking up your own prescriptions? No worries.

Pharmacies near UW:

Hall Health (On Campus, 4060 E Stevens Way NE, M-F 8-5)

Bartell Drugs (The Ave, 4344 University Way NE, M-F 10-6)

Bartell Drugs (U Village, 2700 NE University Village St, M-F 9-9, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-6)

QFC (U Village, 2746 NE 45th St, M-F 8AM-9PM, Sat 9-9, Sun 10-6)

Safeway (U Village, 3020 NE 45th St, M-F 9-7 Sat-Sun 10-6)

If you’re unsure what to say to the pharmacist, here’s a general script you can follow:

You (Y): Hi, I have a prescription to pick up

Pharmacist (P): What’s your last name?

Y: [last name] [spell last name]

P: When’s your birthday?

Y: [birthday with year]

P: Is it the [insert prescription name]?

Y: Yes

P: [brings prescription, may need to show ID first] Do you have any questions about your prescription or need any other supplies?

Y: [answer, usually it’ll be no]

P: Sign here and it costs $$ (or not, thank you insurance)

Y: [pay and receive medication] thank you, have a nice day!

Are you new to Washington State or just wondering about how to acquire insurance? You may be eligible! Apple Health is low cost or free health insurance for those living in Washington state. UW med as well as Hall Health accept Apple Health.

Go to https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/

Create an account— enter info— view eligibility results.

If approved for Apple Health, you will need to choose a plan and provider, there are 5 options (Amerigroup Washington, Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care of Washington, Molina Healthcare of Washington, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan). NOT ALL PLANS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS

Make sure to view the benefits for each plan and select one according to your needs. You should also consult with providers that you plan on seeing to confirm that they take the insurance type and plan that you are considering.

Call your insurance (the number on the back of your insurance card) to better understand your benefits and coverage for overall care and gender affirming care and procedures.

Gender Affirming Surgery

When looking for a doctor, you want to consider the type of procedure you’re looking for, their previous experience, your insurance coverage, and the timeline. Do you have a support system in place to help you post-surgery? Many gender affirming surgeries are considered major surgeries with at least 4 weeks of recovery, if not much more. Remember, this is your body, it is okay and you should be asking for photos of their previous surgery results both shortly after and a year+ healed. As much as the doctor is looking at you, you are looking at the doctor, and it’s okay if it takes a few to find the right match. Often, doctors have long waiting lists, where it would then be important to consider what kind of timeline are you comfortable with? Are you willing to wait 8+ months for a consultation for a reputable surgeon or willing to go elsewhere for a shorter wait?

Here’s a link to a multitude of surgeries and providers at UW Medicine, the closest provider:

https://depts.washington.edu/tgnbhealthprogram/gender-affirming-services/uwm-services-providers/

And a link to a private practice, Eviva, who does chest surgeries to both remove breast tissue/reshape masculinely (double incision and keyhole), breast augmentation for feminine contour, and body sculpting for body contour

https://www.evivamd.com/cosmetic-surgery/transgender-surgery

Voice coaching:

If you are interested in voice training/coaching, here are some nearby services to check out:

Sandy Hirsch http://givevoice.com/transgender-voice-and-communication-services

UW Speech and Hearing: We offer free voice evaluations to all UW students, including those interested in gender affirming voice therapy.

Speech / voice, evaluation and therapy services are now free in our SPHSC clinic, and Cara Sauder is the contact person at csauder2@uw.edu

Hair removal & aesthetics:

Primary methods of hair removal include electrolysis and laser, both having pros and cons. Electrolysis tends to be preferred due to its permanent nature and the wide variety of locations and hair types that it can be used for; however, it is time consuming, expensive, and can be painful as it produces pinpoint scabs. On the other hand, Laser hair removal can only be used on the lower arms, legs, and bikini line and requires ongoing maintenance, and could even cause more hair growth on the face; however, there are no immediate side effects, it’s a bit more affordable, and is good for large areas.

Queen Anne Medical Associates offers care specifically for transgender folks, although they are a bit far from campus http://queenannemedicalassociates.com