We make sure every child who walks through our doors feels safe, loved and supported—and work with family members to make sure that support extends into the home and community. When a child experiences gender dysphoria (gender identity disorder) or expresses cross-gender behavior, support from family, loved ones and a professional and knowledgeable health care team is crucial.
Specialists in endocrinology and psychiatry work together to provide well-rounded care for children and teens in a gender-friendly environment. These specialists also work with our adolescent medicine team to ensure coordinated primary care. Care is specialized to each patient and may include:
Acceptance from loved ones and family helps to protect transgender youth from anxiety and depression, unsafe sexual behavior, self-harm, suicide or substance abuse. We are available to answer any questions and provide recommendations for books, groups and other resources for support and knowledge.
Dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ youth can define themselves, belong and flourish.
Global online community for gender-expansive teens, their families and support professionals to connect, collaborate and find resources.
A research, intervention, education and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBTQ children and youth including homelessness, suicide and HIV in context of their family, cultures, and faith communities.
We recommend the following books, which are available through the Cameron K. Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center, located off the main lobby in the Virginia Treatment Center for Children.
Assigned male at birth, Hazel (named Lachlan at the time) was the youngest of four boys. As she grew older, she didn’t identify with this assigned sex. To Hazel, she was a girl. By the end of her second grade year, she and her parents reached an important milestone in ensuring that the rest of the world saw her the same way. Read more to learn about Hazel’s inspiring experience.
