transsexuality
Transsexuality is the term commonly used to describe the clinical condition where the internal gender identity ('brain gender') varies from the external genital presentation. Terminology varies and is usually woefully inadequate: transsexuality isn’t about sex, its about gender, whereas ‘transgendered’ is used as an umbrella term to describe all conditions where some expression of alternative or null gender is made. This includes transvestism and cross dressing, very different conditions from transsexuality itself. So beware the terminology, and check your definitions against ‘theirs’!.
To undergo treatment for transsexuality you will need the guidance and referral of a psychiatrist specializing in gender, which is often associated with a course in psychotherapy or counselling. I can help you through some of the confusion before, and will push you through some of the challenges after, but the diagnosis itself must be by a diagnostic practitioner. If you feel you may suffer from transsexuality, I am happy to work with you, but it must be done in conjunction with a formal diagnosis. I do have experience of this process, and can give you specific guidance.
The process of transition, should you be on that journey, is one which I believe is very much aided by life coaching. Counselling is the traditional approach to transition support, but there are so many active and forward reaching decisions and changes to be made, I question whether counselling is the appropriate tool. Gender transition is not about reaching into your past, that is of little use to you anymore, it is all about reaching into your future.
Reaching into such a future needs every skill at facing fear that you can possibly muster. It needs every skill at interpreting reaction that you can call on, and it needs good, positive support. Beyond this it needs very down to earth and practical work on how to dress, move, act, speak, think and interact with other people. All things that I can help with as a life coach.