Gender colors all aspects of our lives, how we experience ourselves, how we relate to others, and how others relate to us. When we know we are different, we feel vulnerable, and hide ourselves from being seen by others as we truly are inside. We may doubt whether we are worthy of love and belonging. When we are vulnerable, we need a safe place to explore the hidden aspects of who we are. We may be afraid to be seen, so we hide.
Seeing a psychotherapist can arouse vulnerable feelings and takes courage. The courage to tell your life story with your whole heart. The courage to let go of who you think you should be and embrace wholeheartedly who you are. I understand the need for a safe place so you can talk about yourself even when you are not sure you are worthy of connection.
I am Dr. Rachael St.Claire, a licensed psychologist in the State of Colorado since 1991 with over 26 years of experience serving transgender clients and gender identity issues. I first began providing counseling and psychological evaluation services to transgender clients in 1983 under the supervision of Dr. Carol Manchester. I was a doctoral student at Ohio State University in Columbus where I studied developmental and clinical psychology in the Clinical Child Psychology Program. I received the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton Ohio in 1988. I completed my residency at the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Fort Meade South Dakota, and joined a psychology group practice in the Black Hills of South Dakota until I moved to Craig Colorado in 1990 to begin my own clinical psychology practice. In 1992, I moved to Denver and joined Kaiser Permanente as a clinical psychologist. Over the past 19 years that I worked with Kaiser Permanente, I progressed to positions of increasing responsibility, including staff psychologist, assistant supervisor, supervisor, Behavioral Health manager, and Behavioral Health Senior Manager. In 2010, I left management to return to full time clinical work as a psychologist at the Executive Center Office still with Kaiser Permanente. I was a contributor to the chapter Transgender Healthcare in a guidebook on culturally competent GLBT healthcare published by the Kaiser Permanente National Diversity Department. I also provide supervision and consultation to psychiatrists, physicians, psychologists, and licensed therapists who provide healthcare and counseling services to transgender patients.
Over the last 26 years, I have also continued to provide psychological and relationship counseling to transgender clients in my private practice. I emphasize education and empowerment in support of client self-determination and value collaborative therapist-client relationships. My study of developmental psychology from childhood through adulthood is a foundation of my understanding of gender identity and the issues that transgender and transsexual people face in their lives. I am experienced in assisting clients with exploring their gender identity, including their vulnerability and fears, and coming out to spouses, family and friends. I have advanced training in couples therapy, and often see couples and families to help them maintain loving connections when feeling scared and vulnerable, and tending to turn away from each other. I also assess and refer clients for hormones and gender affirming surgeries, and assist clients to work through all phases of gender transition. I am also highly experienced in assessing the full range of psychological conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that transgender clients sometimes experience.I also provide training and supervision to therapists learning to work with transgender issues. I am a field supervisor for the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver where I supervise doctoral students who provide low-cost individual and group counseling to transgender clients, and serve on doctoral dissertation committees. I also present workshops and presentations on counseling transgender clients to institutions of higher learning, including the University of Denver, the University of Colorado-Denver, and Naropa in Boulder Colorado.
I am a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), formerly The Harry Benjamin Gender Dysphoria Association, and have presented a paper on psychological aspects of transgender experience at their London meeting in 1998. I am also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. I personally know many experts around the country who provide transgender healthcare services, including therapists, sexologists, primary care physicians, and surgeons.
When I held the position of senior manager in the Behavioral Health Department at Kaiser Permanente, I managed a large multi-disciplinary out-patient mental health clinic with 50 employees and a $4 million annual operating budget. I was responsible for hiring professional and support staff, administering company rules and Human Resource policies, evaluating employee performance, developing employee corrective plans, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. My managerial and supervisory experience and expertise in gender identity and transgender issues, qualify me as an expert to advise and consult with clients, employers, human resource professionals, and attorneys in matters regarding transgender employees in the workplace, including discriminatory behavior toward transgender employees, preparing co-workers for employee gender transition, and planning for successful gender transition in the workplace.
For appointments and information about counseling with Dr. St.Claire
◆ Phone: 720-220-5770
◆ Email: transgendersoul@me.com
◆ Office: Denver Colorado in Capitol Hill
Office Forms:
- Disclosure Statement: The State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies requires all psychotherapists, whether licensed or unlicensed, to provide all new clients with a Disclosure Statement at their initial visit. Download and print this document and read it carefully prior to your initial visit. Please bring it with you to your appointment.
- Transgender History Questionnaire: If you plan to schedule an initial consultation, complete this questionnaire and bring it with you to your initial appointment. This information will help your therapist understand your history. The questionnaire is available for download as a MicroSoft Word document.
Experienced Therapist in Littleton Area
Laura Thor MSW LCSW is an experienced licensed psychotherapist in transgender issues, including helping the spouses, children, and family members of someone with gender identity issues. She also has expertise in working with transgender youth and their families as well as with children with gender related problems. Laura has the personal experience of having been married to a spouse who discovered their own transsexual identity. Laura has over 17 years of general psychotherapy experience with a wide range of human problems. For those who wish to explore the spiritual or religious dimensions of their transgender journey, Laura has a bachelor's in theology and a background in liberal Catholic and Jewish spirituality.
◆ Office: Littleton Colorado
◆ Phone: 720-283-3933
◆ Email: laurathor@mac.com
◆ Website: www.laurathorcounseling.com
On-Line Peer Support For TransMen and TransWomen
Dr. St. Claire moderates an on-line support group open to to all trans-men and women. This private on-line TG community offers peer support and information about all aspects of transgender experience and transition, including trans-affirmative professionals and services in the Denver and Front Range area. If you are interested in being invited to join this group, simply email Rachael St.Claire with your request, or visit my blog for additional in formation at www.transgendersoul.com/blog.
If you are interested in consultation about transgender issues in the workplace or expert testimony, more information can be found on the Consultation page.