Gender Identity
Each person experiences gender identity in their own unique way. Clients who come to therapy for assistance with transgender or transsexual issues represent a broad range of people. They come from all backgrounds and with a wide range of goals regarding gender expression. Some people wish to completely transition from one gender to another. Other people wish to express a gender identity that is unique to them. And other people have deep internal experiences of gender that they do not want to outwardly express. Just as those who transition need support, people who do not transition also need support.
As a psychologist and gender specialist, I am experienced in helping people gain greater comfort with their gendered self. I have worked with hundreds of people who identify as transsexual, transgender, crossdresser, male-to-female, female-to-male, gender queer, and identities too varied to list. Our work together is not limited to gender issues, but will address you as a whole person. Relationships, work, sexuality, family, and emotional well-being are all affected by one’s gender experience.
Published Papers on Transgender Themes
Rachlin, K., Green, J., and Lombardi, E. (2008) Utilization of Health Care Among Female-to-Male Transgender Individuals in the United States. Journal of Homosexuality, 54(3), 243-258.
Rachlin, K. Transgendered Individuals’ Experiences of Psychotherapy. International Journal of Transgenderism, 2002, 6(1).
Rachlin, K. FTM 101: Dispelling Myths About the Invisible and Impossible. Book Chapter in The Phallus Palace: Female-to-Male Transsexuals. 2002. Dean Kotula editor. Alyson Publications: Los Angeles CA.
Rachlin, K. Factors Which Influence Individual’s Decisions When Considering FTM Genital Surgery. International Journal of Transgenderism, 1999, 3(3).
(This is just a sample of the presentations and workshops I have presented. There are so many that I do not keep up with listing them.)
September 2003, Flexible Use of the Standards of Care #1: Psychological Evaluation in Lieu of Psychotherapy (coauthor John Capozuca). Paper presented at the XVIII Harry Benjamin International Symposium on Gender Dysphoria. September 2003, Ghent, Belgium.
September 2003, FTMs experiences of Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy (coauthors Griffin Hansbury) Poster presentation at the XVIII Harry Benjamin International Symposium on Gender Dysphoria. September 2003, Ghent, Belgium.
November 2001, Trends in the Evolving FTM Community: Challenges for Clinical Providers. Paper presented at the XVII Harry Benjamin International Symposium on Gender Dysphoria. October 31-November 4, 2001, Galveston, Texas.
November 2001, Utilization of Health Care Among FTMs in the United States. (coauthor Jamison Green) Paper presented at the XVII Harry Benjamin International Symposium on Gender Dysphoria. October 31-November 4, 2001, Galveston, Texas.
August 2001, Transgendered Individuals’ Experiences of Psychotherapy. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association 109th Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA. August 24-28, 2001.
March 2001, Working With Transgendered Women in Recovery. Presented at Speakout conference sponsored by The Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center of New York City.
February 2001, The View From The Wings. Key Note Address at the True Spirit Conference sponsored by AMBOYZ, Washington, DC.
October 2000, The Effects of Gate-Keeping on Experiences with Psychotherapists, presented at The Fourth International Congress on Sex and Gender, October 6-8, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
August 1999, Meeting At The Gate: A National Survey of Transgendered Individuals’ Experiences of Psychotherapy, presented at The Harry Benjamin International Dysphoria Association XIV Symposium August 17-21, 1999, London, England.
September 1998, Factors Which Influence Consumers’ Decisions Regarding Female-To-Male Genital Reconstructive Surgery, presented atThe Third International Congress on Sex and Gender, September 18-20, 1998, Oxford, England.
September 1997, Factors Which Influence Consumers’ Decisions Regarding Female-To-Male Genital Reconstructive Surgery, presented atThe Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association XV Symposium, September 10-13, 1997, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
August 1997, Intimacy Issues for Partners of Female-to-Male Transsexuals, presented at The Third FTM Conference of the Americas, Boston, Mass.
June 1997, Partners in the Journey: Psychotherapy and Six Stages of Gender Revelation, presented at the Second Congress on Sex and Gender, King of Prussia, PA.
April 1996, Sexual Issues Brought Into Psychotherapy Early in Gender Transition presented at The Second Annual Transsexual Health and Empowerment Conference, sponsored by The Gender Identity Project of The Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center of New York City.
August 1995, No-Hormone Non-Operative options for Female-to-Male Transsexuals, and Observations on FTM Men - a Therapist’s perspective, both presented at the First FTM Conference of the Americas, San Francisco, CA.
April 1995, Transgender Issues in Psychotherapy, presented at The First Annual Transsexual Health and Empowerment Conference, sponsored by The Gender Identity Project of The Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center of New York City.
August 14, 2008 Report of The APA Task Force on Gender Identity, Gender Variance, and Intersex Conditions. American Psychological AssociationConvention, Boston.
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August 19, 2005, The Questions We Ask: Conducting Socially-Conscious Research with Transgender Individuals Paper presented at the 113th annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.