Welcome to therapy first

Psychotherapy as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria

We’re here to help.

The purest form of listening is to listen without memory or desire.

Wilfred Bion

Therapy First is a non-profit professional association of over 300 mental health providers worldwide who view psychotherapy as the appropriate first-line treatment for gender dysphoria.

We aim to support psychotherapists working with gender dysphoric children, adolescents, and young adults in providing high quality, evidence-based mental healthcare, and to offer public education on mental health and psychotherapy

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For clinicians

Start here

Therapy First exists because we see a great need arising from the current oversimplification and politicalization of gender dysphoria in the field of mental health.

Therapists

Join a professional association of mental health providers who view psychosocial support and a whole person approach as the appropriate front-line treatment for gender-related concerns.

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Clients & Families

If you or someone you care about is suffering from gender-related distress, we offer compassionate and evidence-based resources and can help connect you to a mental health provider.

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Transition Regret

We offer resources and information for those who experience regret or grief related to medical transition, including therapists experienced in working with people who choose to detransition.

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Join Therapy First

Therapy First’s professional association is open to licensed mental health providers. Once you become a member, you’ll join a community of over 300 professionals worldwide who actively support one another in exchanging ideas and sharing resources.

You’ll also gain access to weekly peer supervision groups, get discounts to Therapy First webinars and trainings, and have the opportunity to list your practice on a public directory of psychotherapists.

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Featured webinar

Therapy First provides a range of trainings for mental health clinicians working with young people who are questioning their identity.

Understanding Identity-Based OCD: Challenges and Strategies

Elliot Kaminetzky, Ph.D.

Monday May 6th 12pm EST

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can present itself through intrusive, persistent doubts surrounding one's identity. This includes a presentation that has been referred to as Gender Identity OCD (GOCD), where obsessions focus on gender identity. Individuals with this manifestation experience relentless doubts and anxieties about their gender identity, leading to a constant cycle of rumination and analysis. This webinar will delve into the unique challenges faced by individuals grappling with this, and offer participants therapeutic strategies tailored to address the complex and nuanced issues inherent in identity-based OCD related to gender.

Therapy First has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider,
ACEP No. 7505. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy
First is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This webinar provide 1.5 hours of CE credits.

Dr. Elliot Kaminetzky is a New York City based child and adolescent psychologist specializing in parenting based interventions for child anxiety, OCD, and behavioral challenges. He is the founder My OCD Care (myocdcare.com) and The Center for Child Behavioral Health (childbehavioralhealth.com).

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Download Therapy First’s free Clinical Guide for Therapists Working with Gender Questioning Youth. Developed by a team of clinicians with expertise working with gender dysphoric youth and their families, our clinical guide offers mental health providers an introduction to working with this growing population based on the latest research and a solid understanding of psychotherapeutic best practice.

download the guide

Find a Therapist

We help prospective clients connect with therapists who agree with the tenets of Therapy First’s membership statement.

You can find out more about individual practices by clicking in and viewing their profile.

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latest podcast from

Gender: A Wider Lens

Therapists Stella O’Malley and Sasha Ayad explore diverse perspectives through a psychological lens, fostering open dialogue on gender identity, transition, and the transgender umbrella. Their work with gender dysphoric clients and unique experiences yield an informed outlook delving into gender’s psychological nuances. Interviews with clinicians, academics, transgender individuals, parents, detransitioners, and others touched by gender provide varied insights and intimate inquiry into the taboo yet relevant topic.

www.widerlenspod.com