Gender Affirming Care: An Explanation of What to Expect
For teens exploring their gender identity, gender-affirming care is about more than just physical changes — it’s a journey toward feeling like yourself. But what exactly does it involve? From therapy and outward expression to medical options like hormones, this guide breaks down what to expect in gender-affirming care.
At Ascend, we’re here to provide therapy and emotional support for teens questioning their gender or navigating challenges around identity. While we don’t offer medical gender-affirming care, our teen mental health treatment services create a safe space for you to explore who you are.
What Is Gender-Affirming Care?
Gender-affirming care is all about aligning who you are inside with how you feel in the world. What you can expect from gender-affirming care may include:
- Therapy and support – Talking with a therapist to understand your feelings and process your identity.
- Name changes – Choosing a name that fits who you are and, if you’re ready, legally changing it.
- Outward presentation – Expressing yourself through clothing, hairstyles, or makeup to feel more like yourself.
- Hormone therapy – Using puberty blockers or hormones to align your body with your gender.
- Surgeries – Gender-affirming surgeries, which are usually an option for adults or older teens with parental consent.
Each journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What you can expect from gender-affirming care may vary.
Do You Have to Be Trans to Receive Gender-Affirming Care?
Absolutely not! Gender-affirming care is for anyone exploring their gender identity or seeking support to align their feelings with how they present themselves to the world. While it’s often associated with transgender individuals, people who identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, or are simply questioning their gender can also benefit exploring what to expect from gender-affirming care.
Hormone Therapy: What to Know
Hormone therapy is one of the most talked-about aspects of gender-affirming care, but it’s important to know what’s involved. For teens, hormone therapy often begins with puberty blockers, which pause puberty and allow more time to explore their identity without the pressure of physical changes.
Later, some teens may start gender-affirming hormones (like estrogen or testosterone). However, these steps typically require parental consent and approval from medical and mental health professionals.
What About Gender-Affirming Surgeries?
For teens, gender-affirming surgeries are less common and more complex. In many places, surgeries are only available to adults or older teens with extensive medical and psychological evaluations, along with parental consent.
Surgeries like top surgery or facial feminization are typically reserved for adults, but in some cases, older teens may qualify with parental consent and medical approval. What you can expect from surgical gender-affirming care includes extra time for discussions, evaluations, and talk therapy to ensure it’s the right choice for you.
How Ascend Supports Teens
While we don’t provide medical care like hormones or surgeries, Ascend is here to help with the mental health side of things. We understand how important it is to feel heard and supported.
What is gender-affirming care at Ascend:
- A safe space – Talk about your feelings without judgment.
- Identity exploration – Work through questions and discover who you are.
- Coping strategies – Learn tools to handle anxiety or social pressures.
- Family connections – Help your parents or guardians understand your journey better.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone — we’re here to help.
Your Story Is Yours to Write
Gender-affirming care is about more than medical treatments — it’s about supporting teens in becoming their authentic selves. Taking the right steps can make a world of difference in a teen’s confidence and well-being.
If you’re navigating questions about identity, Ascend is here to help. Our gender-affirming care in Los Angeles, CA focuses on mental health and emotional support, giving teens the tools they need to thrive.
If you’re interested in gender-affirming care in Los Angeles, CA, contact us today at 310.388.3713 or reach out online to learn more.
