Gender Identity

Unblinking gaze

Identifying Your Gender

While issues with how you identify sexually are becoming more acceptable, many still have the view that it should be hidden from the world. The natural result of this is to act as an impediment to a fully satisfying life in a fulfilling and mutually respectful relationship. First, some definitions;

Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria –Transgender or Gender dysphoria involves a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned gender and the gender with which he/she/they identify. People with gender dysphoria may be very uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned, sometimes described as being uncomfortable with their body (particularly developments during puberty) or being uncomfortable with the expected roles of their assigned gender.

Transsexuality

Transsexuality – a strong desire to have the physical aspects of the opposite gender. Most commonly men who wear women’s clothing. This can be in secret or the person is happy to dress openly as a woman. Some people call this “cross-dressing”.

Gay/Lesbian The term gay originally derived from a slang expression, but has gained wide acceptance and many people who are sexually attracted to others of the same sex prefer it to the older and more clinical term homosexual. This term more usually refers to men who experience romantic love or sexual attraction to other men.

A lesbian is a female homosexual: a female who experiences romantic love or sexual attraction to other females. The term lesbian is also used to express sexual identity or sexual behaviour regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterise or associate nouns with female homosexuality or same-sex attraction.

Bisexuality

The romantic or sexual attraction or behaviour towards both males and females, or romantic or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity; this latter aspect is sometimes alternatively termed pansexuality.

All of these issues may cause distress to the person concerned and to their partner if they have one. Or indeed hamper attempts at forming long-term intimate relationships. Therapy can help explore and understand how the issues affect you and perhaps why you feel this way. Discovering more and gaining insight are fundamental parts of therapy and you can work with your therapist to express this aspect of your sexuality and what you can access to help your transition in the case of Gender Dysphoria or live a healthy sex life as a transsexual, gay or bisexual person.

It is sometimes within the safe environment of the therapy room that relationship problems resulting from one of these issues come to light. Many will have hidden their true sexuality for fear of what others or their partner will think of them and more, for those that have disclosed their preferences, find the relationship struggles with acceptance or judgement. Therapy is a safe place which is non-judgemental, confidential and complies with strict ethical codes to give the client the best possible outcome. We work with your goals to ensure all the work we do with you is relevant, proactive and timely.

Gender Identity – Book an Appointment

Be strong in your identity and allow your nearest and dearest share in that strength, do it now, it is your right.  Let’s get things moving!

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