Hormone Readiness Assessment
The road to understanding your gender identity can be challenging, especially if your road leaves you wondering if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is for you. If you’re here, then you may have questions about hormone replacement therapy, the hormone readiness assessment, and the process involved in accessing these services.
As a licensed queer counsellor in Vancouver
one of my specializations is in helping youth and young adults navigate their gender identity, including helping them feel their true selves, inside and out. If HRT is what you need, I provide before, during and after support services, as well as hormone readiness assessment and a letter of support for your physician or endocrinologist.
If you’re interested in pursuing HRT, here’s what you need to know and how a hormone readiness assessment can support you in the process.
What is Hormone Readiness Assessment?
A hormone readiness assessment (also called Hormone Care Planning) is an evaluation completed by a trained and licensed professional to assess an individual’s readiness to receive hormone replacement therapy. It is a component of your gender-affirming care and is intended to ensure that you are receiving the appropriate amount of care and support as you navigate your gender identity.
As part of your hormone readiness assessment, you will be asked a series of questions about your gender identity, your medical history, and your health. These questions are not to gate keep or measure if you’re “trans” enough to start hormone therapy. But to give you a safe space to explore ways to better understand yourself and your gender identity needs.
I offer hormone readiness assessments for youth and young adults looking who have met specific eligibility criteria to both undergo a hormone readiness assessment, and qualify for hormone replacement.
Who is Eligible for Hormone Readiness Assessment?
Did you know that you do not have to identify as trans to be considered eligible for hormone therapy? In fact, some non-binary, gender queer or gender diverse individuals may also take hormone therapy for medical reasons.
As a licensed counsellor, I follow the World Professional Association for Transgener Health, Standards of Care, version 8 (WPATH SOC-8) as a guidance for determining the eligibility of my clients when offering a hormone readiness assessment.
If you, or a youth or young adult in your care are exploring hormone therapy, you will need to complete the hormone readiness assessment ahead of any treatment. To help you make the best decisions, here is what you need to know about who is eligible for hormone therapy and hormone readiness assessment:
If you are a youth or are seeking additional information about HRT or hormone readiness assessment for a youth, I do want to note that youth are typically given additional monitoring given their development state.
It’s important for me when working with youth to have a good understanding of both your emotional and cognitive maturity. HRT is a big step for your gender identity and I want to make sure that you have the right tools and support in place to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you meet these criteria and are wanting to explore your gender identity, you can book your hormone readiness assessment and we can get started on the process of helping you look and feel like your true self.
The criteria for youth to receive hormone readiness assessments is as follows:
Gender diverse
Shows emotions and cognitive capacity to make informed decisions and provide consent.
Mental health readiness
Age-appropriate understanding of the reproductive consequences
Parental consent and involvement
Strong support system in place
For adults, the eligibility for hormone therapy and hormone readiness assessment includes:
Gender-affirming experiences
Mental health readiness
Strong support system in place
Ability to make informed decisions and provide consent
In overall good health
What is my Role in Your Hormone Readiness Assessment?
Now that you know the basics about hormone therapy and who can access a hormone readiness assessment, I want to tell you what working with me through this process looks like.
As a trained, licensed clinical counsellor, I take an active role in helping you navigate your gender identity and navigate the complex healthcare process for your gender-affirming care.
Not only am I able to complete your hormone readiness assessment and provide you with a letter of support to share with your endocrinologist or physician to initiate your hormone therapy treatment, but I am also here to support you throughout your gender identity journey.
As a queer counsellor, I work with youth and young adults who are exploring their gender identity. From working through your curiosity around gender to diving deeper into coming out, or strategizing how to live your life as the best version of yourself, I am able to provide extra levels of support and care and offer a safe space for you to explore how you wish to be defined.
It’s a different experience than you would expect to complete a hormone readiness assessment with me, versus with a physician or nurse practitioner because my support can extend beyond the hormone readiness assessment.
I offer both in person and virtual hormone readiness assessment sessions.
What to Expect in Your Hormone Readiness Assessment?
Put simply a hormone readiness assessment is an evaluation that opens a door to additional gender-affirming care. Gender-affirming care, if you aren’t familiar, is meant to support you in your gender journey by helping you understand where you are and get to where you want to be with your gender identity.
The process requires informed consent and it is the first step that we will cover during our hormone readiness assessment.
But more specifically, here is what you can expect to discuss during a hormone readiness assessment:
Personal goals and expectations
Medical and mental health history overview to make sure you are receiving the right care
Potential risk and benefit to discuss long-term implications and effects
Discuss your support system to make sure that you have a good dose of emotional, physical, and social support needed throughout your HRT journey.
The entire hormone readiness assessment process will vary from person to person, however, you should expect up to a 90-minute appointment.
Once our hormone readiness assessment is complete, I will write a letter of recommendation. This takes about a week to complete before it’s ready to be sent to your doctor.
Don’t worry, you will see the letter I write on your behalf!
This hormone readiness assessment process is for you and as your care provider, I want you to feel empowered and confident in your gender journey. I make sure to keep you in the loop and will therefore be giving you the final draft of my recommendation to review before we send it off to your doctor.
With your consent, I will send the letter to your family doctor or the next healthcare provider who will assist you with your hormone therapy.
Assessment Process and Eligibility Criteria for Hormone Readiness Assessment
The average hormone readiness assessment itself takes about 90 minutes to complete. However, the process will vary from person to person and you should keep that in mind.
In my experience, several things that can impact the actual duration of your hormone readiness assessment, like your support system, medical history, mental health, among other factors. Other elements might also play a part, like the types of hormones you are given and the added considerations if you are thinking about surgery.
From my end, consider me a companion as you navigate this part of your life. I can help you understand the emotional weight of your gender identity journey. I offer support, coping strategies, among other things to make sure that you are getting the care you need.
My jam is working with youth and young adults who are looking for support in their lives. As a queer counsellor, I have first-hand experiences that I draw on that resonate closely with my clients as I guide them on their gender identity journey to live life as their true selves
Cost and Coverage for Hormone Readiness Assessment
In British Columbia hormone readiness assessments are covered by MSP if done through a licensed physician or licensed nurse practitioner (LNP). However not all physicians or LNPs offer this service.
On the other hand, if you are looking for on-going support and guidance , your extended health benefits will cover the entire cost of your hormone readiness assessment if counseling services are covered under your plan.
I highly recommend checking with your insurance provider about your coverage.
My rate for hormone readiness assessment is $425 (+5% GST) (includes 90-min meeting and write-up)
** If you need sliding scale, I so welcome you to reach out
If you don’t have extended benefits, I can offer you a list of community options. But be advised that the wait time for community service options for hormone readiness assessments can be lengthy, ranging anywhere from 3 months to two years.
Let’s work together
Ready to take the next step in your gender identity journey?
Book your hormone readiness assessment by filling out the form below.