Supporting Trans Youth: Resources for Parents and Providers

At Pride Therapy DC, we know how overwhelming it can be for parents and caregivers navigating the world of gender identity — especially when systems feel complex, political, or simply unfamiliar. This page is here to make it easier. Whether you're looking for trusted guidance, affirming providers, or simply a place to start, you’re in the right place.

This is not a replacement for therapy, but a curated hub of support — rooted in evidence, compassion, and care.

Gender identity is a deeply felt sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere in between. It may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.

Gender expression refers to how someone presents their gender through clothing, behavior, voice, or hairstyle — and may change over time.

Parents often ask: “Is this a phase?”
What we know is that affirming your child’s identity — however it evolves — is protective and powerful. There is no one-size-fits-all timeline, and your support makes a measurable difference in mental health outcomes.

For more on the basics:

• Gender and Sexuality 101 (GLSEN)
• Human Rights Campaign – Understanding the Basics
• UCSF Child & Adolescent Gender Center

Gender-affirming care includes a wide range of services — from social support to hormone therapy. It is not “one path” but a series of options tailored to a young person’s needs, goals, and developmental stage.

This may include:

• Name/pronoun affirmation
• Mental health therapy
• Puberty blockers or hormone therapy (when appropriate)
• Menstrual suppression
• Family support and education

Medical decisions are always made in collaboration with families and healthcare providers. In DC and Maryland, youth can often access these services through specialized clinics.

• Whitman-Walker Health – LGBTQ+ medical and mental health services, including youth care.
• Children’s National Gender Development Program – Comprehensive gender-affirming care.
• SMYAL – Support groups, programs, and services for LGBTQ+ youth in the DC region.
• PFLAG Metro DC – Peer support groups for families and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Gender Spectrum – Resources for parents, educators, and youth on creating gender-inclusive environments.
• Trans Families – Online support groups and guidance for caregivers of trans youth.
• Stand With Trans – National support, including parent coaching and webinars.
• The Trevor Project – Crisis support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth, including a 24/7 helpline: 1-866-488-7386.
• HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools – School-focused tools for LGBTQ inclusion.
• Ingersoll Gender Center – Support services and community-building programs.
• Q Chat Space – Live-chat support groups for LGBTQ+ teens facilitated by trained professionals.

If you're a pediatrician, school counselor, or therapist looking to affirm trans youth in your care, we recommend:

• WPATH Standards of Care
• Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines
• UCSF Transgender Care Guidelines

💬 Still Have QuestionslThat’s what we’re here for. email us at Pride Therapy DC if you’d like to schedule a consultation or simply talk with someone who gets it.