Clinical Consultation with Lisette Lahana, LCSW

Since 2002 I've been teaching therapists about gender identity, exploration and body changes. I am a WPATH GEI SOC8 Certified Member and Certified WPATH Mentor. I am also a Consultation Group Facilitator for the LGBT Clinical Academy of Santa Clara County, CA. Having worked in private practice and a multi-disciplinary gender clinic for years, I have knowledge about helping clients with medical changes including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. I have run consult groups since 2003 and find that format helps therapists build clinical community and grow their skills more quickly.

When you and I work together we discuss how to help clients gain clarity around their identity and expression. We can discuss creative options for gender changes and self-expression, many of which may be outside of the gender binary. Race, sexuality, class, relationship status, neurotype, abilities, health and religion all have an impact on gender identity. These factors influence gender expression and the speed at which a person may make changes. We will discuss factors at play when clients re-transition or move to another gendered place on their life path.

We can engage in nuanced conversations about transference, countertransference and privilege during our meetings.

We decenter binary thinking and work to avoid using a cisgender lens.

We work to combat forms of bias in our work, such as cissexism, transphobia, homophobia and white supremacy, which have been present since this field's inception.

With over 20 years of experience as a generalist, I also enjoy consulting with therapists on general mental health as well as on clients coming into their sexuality.

You can also choose to have a first time, brief conversation, free of charge, to discuss your needs. Book directly into my calendar.

As a cisgender therapist serving the gender diverse community, I feel it is important to contribute monthly to an org like the Transgender Law Center and their Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project. All cis therapists, whose careers are in some way related to treating the suffering and injustice towards TGD folks might consider doing the same.

This business also donates monthly to a land trust to acknowledge that we are based on the unceded Huchuin territory of the Ohlone (Lisjan) people.