Background
Since 1983, the Milwaukee Transgender Program has offered supportive programs to people dealing with issues of gender identity conflict/confusion and/or transgenderism.
The program recognizes the complexities in the lives of persons dealing with gender identity issues. The program's staff, using a team approach, offers individualized services that encompass the needs of each person's whole life circumstances and effectively address the individual's internal and external struggles.
The Milwaukee Transgender Program adheres to accepted professional standards of practice. All decisions related to hormone therapy and gender re-assignment surgery are made by the staff in partnership with program participants who meet the Harry S. Benjamin Gender Dysphoria criteria.
The Program
Before entering the program, the applicant must undergo an admissions evaluation with program co-therapists. The process usually requires a minimum of three sessions plus two hours for psychological testing. Applicants traveling more than 100 miles can complete the evaluation in one day with prepayment of the fee.
Upon the assessment's completion, the primary therapist will meet with the applicant to discuss the results and staff impressions, and to make recommendations for therapy and admission to the program.
Treatment
The treatment process for a transgender person is often lengthy and always extensive in scope. In addition to role adjustment, the individual must make the necessary vocational, legal, social and emotional changes to support the newly acquired gender identity-role.
After a prescribed period of treatment and a medical evaluation, hormonal therapy may be initiated. At a mutually agreed upon point in the transitional process, the individual will initiate a 24-hour period of living in the internal gender role.
Having lived for a minimum of one year in the internal gender role, the transgender person may apply for gender reassignment surgery. If the person has demonstrated stability and productivity in daily life and met the appropriate criteria, surgery is usually granted.
Other Program Services
Ongoing therapy/support groups for present members of the Transgender Program meet each month. Regular attendance is a Program requirement. Individual therapy is also available and often required.
Support and therapy are available to family members of gender dysphoric persons, transgender persons and cross-dressers.
Psychiatric and other medical evaluations are available to Program participants.
Complete health care services are available through the affiliated medical staff of the Transgender program for current and former program participants.
For more information on transgender programs and related news please visit the web site of The International Foundation For Gender Education.