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 U.S. based non-profit organization and international professional association of mental health providers dedicated to offering developmentally informed psychotherapy as the first-line treatment for youth gender dysphoria.
Our mission is to advance the field of mental health in this area and to raise the standard of care for children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing gender dysphoria by supporting and training clinicians, conducting research, and offering public education on mental health and psychotherapy.
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-Related Grief
We offer resources and information for those who experience 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.
Featured webinars
Therapy First provides a range of trainings for mental health clinicians working with young people who are questioning their identity.
Understanding Transition-Related Grief in Clinical Practice
Monday Dec 29th at 7pm EST
Paul Garcia-Ryan, LCSW
This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of Transition-Related Grief (TRG), including the ways in which it is distinct from detransition, as well as the clinical themes involved in therapeutic work with those experiencing TRG. Special attention will be given to the preparation clinicians need to work effectively in this area and the relevance of TRG to the mental health care provided to youth experiencing gender dysphoria.
Learning objectives:
- Define Transition-Related Grief (TRG) and differentiate it from detransition and regret.
- Explore the emotional, physical, and developmental challenges experienced by individuals facing TRG.
- Recognize the therapist competencies required for effectively providing therapy to individuals experiencing TRG
- Understand implications of TRG on mental health care as it pertains to youth gender dysphoria
Presenter Bio:
Paul Garcia-Ryan, LCSW is the Executive Director of Therapy First and a licensed clinical social worker based in New York City. He earned his Master of Social Work from Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work and received advanced graduate training in LGBT behavioral health at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Paul has spoken and lectured both nationally and internationally on developmental approaches to youth gender dysphoria. He maintains a private practice, trains clinicians, and provides supervision in this specialized area of clinical care.
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.
Therapy First is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Therapy First maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Therapy First webinars are open to the public. Parents, clinicians, teachers, and all those interested are welcome to attend. Psychologists and professional counselors are eligible to earn 1.5 CE credits for participating in the live webinar.
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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