Please note that these services are only offered to clients over the age of 18 at this time.

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The psychologists at Lesley Hartman & Associates Inc. are dedicated to creating a safe space for gender-diverse clients living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For readiness assessments, you will meet with a WPATH-trained clinician to discuss your plan to medically transition as a way to further affirm your gender identity. The readiness assessment follows the WPATH Standards of Care Version 7. Common topics discussed include personal and family medical history (both physical and mental), social and financial support, and personal gender identity. It is very important to know that we are not looking for a particular narrative, as we recognize that there is no one correct way to transition.

 

The number of sessions depends on the complexity of the issues discussed. Generally, clients will meet with a psychologist for one to two sessions. By the end of the assessment, the psychologist will be able to make a decision on whether you are ready to take feminizing or masculinizing hormones or able to consent to various gender affirming surgeries (often referred to as sex reassignment surgeries). If you qualify, you will be provided a formal letter. For hormone readiness assessments, you will only need one letter from a medical-based or mental health-based professional. For surgery readiness assessments, you will need a physician specialist letter in addition to a letter of support by a WPATH trained mental health provider. If you have any additional questions, we can discuss them during the assessment.

 

To learn more about trans health readiness assessments, please click here to download the prideHealth Trans Health Guide. Please click here to find out more about the process to get MSI to cover Gender Affirming Surgeries in Nova Scotia.