Monterey County Rainbow Connections Gender Diversity Provider Training
Gender Affirming Surgeries
April 17, 2025
CE’s Available
The Gender Health Training Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Gender Health Training Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Gender-affirming surgery can be life-saving—but for many youth and young adults, the process is layered, overwhelming, and often misunderstood by those who support them. This interactive 3-hour training is designed for medical and mental health providers to deepen their understanding of gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) for youth and young adults. Through a collaborative lens, this workshop brings together the insights of professionals with medical, mental health expertise as well as lived experience to offer a comprehensive, nuanced view of surgical options and their physical, emotional, and psychological impacts.
Rather than focusing on surgical techniques or protocols alone, this session explores what it actually means to prepare young people and families for what’s to come, making informed and embodied choices, understanding the available surgeries, supporting the long arc of recovery, and to walk alongside them through the emotional, social, and physical shifts that come with these life-affirming procedures.
Throughout, we’ll center trans voices, interweave personal narratives, and offer actionable tools for providers who want to show up skillfully and compassionately in this life-changing process.
What We Will Cover
- Choosing a surgeon and navigating consultations
- Understanding the range of surgical options (top, bottom, facial, etc.)
- Preparing youth, families, and caregivers emotionally and logistically
- Recognizing the impact of trauma, minority stress, and fear
- Supporting post-op recovery, doubt, depression, and celebration
Learning objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- List at least three common gender-affirming surgeries available to youth and young adults
- Describe the clinical and emotional factors involved in selecting a gender-affirming surgeon and preparing for consultations.
Describe the psychosocial and familial dynamics that may arise during the pre-surgical phase, including the role of caregivers and the impact of minority stress. - Identify at least three strategies for supporting clients through post-operative recovery
- Identify key clinical preparation needs and and recovery considerations that transgender and gender-diverse youth and their families need to consider
- Explain the challenges transgender youth, young adults and their families face in navigating surgical access, and formulate at least two ways to offer affirming, collaborative support in one’s own practice.
Presenters
Jen Hastings
Jen Hastings, MD (jen/jen) Board Certified in Family Medicine, has been providing transgender health care for many years. Dr Jen is part of Ibis Reproductive Health, a research group studying the reproductive needs and experiences of transgender and gender expansive people in the US, and a national consultant and educator on transgender healthcare, increasing medical access and understanding.
Jen is also an abortion provider with Aria Medical Group. In Santa Cruz, Jen is the physician consultant with SafeRx and the Health Improvement Partnership, working with Opioid Safety, Behavioral Health integration, Trauma Informed Care and Mindfulness in Medicine.
Shawn V. Giammattei, PhD
Shawn V. Giammattei, PhD is a clinical psychologist & WPATH certified member/mentor, specializing in couple & family therapy with a particular focus on trans youth and their families. He is the founder & CEO of the Gender Health Training Institute & TransFamily Alliance, a research consultant, international speaker, community educator, and professor teaching graduate and post-graduate courses in LGBTQ psychology, family systems, and gender affirming care, as well as the author of several articles and book chapters on gender, sexuality, and family work.
Juliette Greenham
Mexican writer, former strategy director at international organizations and DEI expert at Gender Health Training Institute. Juliette is coaching the most important organizations in Latin America to change their culture towards trans inclusivity, implementing solid policies and procedures. Juliette helps trans families in their Gender Journey, translating gender-affirming care to the Latin American culture, helping families understand it and remove cultural obstacles so they can flow and be at peace with the process.
Session is 180 min including time for Q&A.
3 CE Credits Available
The Gender Health Training Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Gender Health Training Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.