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YOUTH & FAMILY ORIENTATION NIGHT

Affirming care for Trans and Gender Diverse Youth at Fenway Health

Trans and Gender Diverse Youth and Adolescents

Gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse youth at Fenway Health is managed through family medicine primary care teams. As a patient, you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) work together with medical and behavioral health care providers to develop a treatment plan centered on your gender goals and based on your age, developmental history, medical, and mental health conditions. Understanding your goals and concerns allows us to support you, your family, and your larger support system.

Fenway Health Statement of Support for TGD Youth

In recent years, the rights of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) young people have been threatened, with several states introducing legislation designed to restrict participation in sports and access to the health care people in these communities need and deserve.

Fenway Health is committed to providing high quality, culturally competent care and services to all of our patients, including trans and gender diverse youth. We also conduct research and education and engage in advocacy to expand care for and protect the rights of trans and gender diverse youth across the United States.

We work hard to ensure our facilities are as safe and welcoming as possible. We take any and all threats very seriously and our safety and security staff partner with law enforcement to address them.

Fenway’s programs and care for trans and gender diverse youth are an essential part of the work we do. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting all young people in our community.

We are family centered in every aspect of our assessments and interactions. We support family-based decision making at every step.
We use a developmental approach to care, meaning that our assessment and approach to medical recommendations are based on where each child is in their pubertal, cognitive, and social areas of maturation.

We work in interdisciplinary teams, sharing the expertise of medical and behavioral health providers in developing a patient-focused treatment plan.
We practice a holistic, patient-centered model of care which recognizes that our patients each have unique needs and stresses within their family, school, institutions, the public and the world.
Our medical recommendations are driven by evidence, research, expert opinion, and experience.

Medical Care

Family Medicine Primary Care

Preventive care, routine physicals, and sports physicals
Specialty care & referrals
Immunizations, including flu shots and travel immunizations
Radiology services
Menstrual suppressant, birth control and emergency contraception
Obstetrics and gynecology
Infectious disease care, including HIV and Hepatitis

Gender Affirming Care

Puberty Suppression

Puberty blockers are medications used to pause the physical changes from puberty – such as the development of breasts, facial and body hair, or an Adam’s Apple. This medication is called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist).
Puberty blockers are for youth who have already started puberty and want to delay further changes. Puberty blockers cannot reverse changes that have already happened.
The use and effects of puberty blockers are not permanent. This means that if you decide to stop puberty blockers without any gender affirming hormone therapy your body will restart puberty based on your gonads (testes or ovaries). If you decide to start gender affirming hormones, your body will develop according to the sex hormone you take (estrogen or testosterone)
Our interdisciplinary team will work with you and your family to figure out if puberty blockers are a good choice for you

Hormone Therapy

Gender affirming hormones are used to bring about bodily changes that are more aligned with a person’s gender identity and embodiment goals. Hormone therapy involves taking medication to change the levels of sex hormones in your body.
Hormone therapy changes the body in various ways – some of those changes are permanent while others are reversible
Our interdisciplinary team will work with you and your family to figure out if hormone therapy is a good choice for you

Fertility Counseling

Discussion of reproductive effects of puberty blockers and hormone therapy
Available options to preserve fertility if appropriate

Behavioral Health

Support Services

All Access Hours

Youth and Family All Access Hours provide a space for youth under 18 and family to speak with our Trans Health Program Youth and Family Coordinator about services at Fenway, support, resources, and more!

Youth and Family All Access Hours are Thursdays from 1:00-4:00PM by phone, Zoom, or in-person.

Sign up for All Access Hours

Scheduling and Preparing for Your Appointment

Call the Trans Youth Scheduling Line at 617.457.8140 to make an appointment
If you are looking for behavioral health services only (ages 12+), call 617-927-6202
Get a referral from your current Primary Care Provider (if applicable). Be sure to include your appointment date and time, and your Fenway provider’s name and NPI number. Referrals can be faxed to 617.425.5730
Attend our Youth & Family Orientation to learn more about our program, services we offer, and resources
Review and complete the Trans Youth Clinic Packet

Have a copy of your health records sent to Fenway

Request past medical records from your primary care provider and specialty providers, and authorize our team to talk to your therapist by completing the Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information
Complete a separate form for each provider
Instructions
1. Enter your information
2. Enter your outside provider information
3. Our information: Fenway Health; Phone: 617-457-8140; Fax: 617-638-0033; Address: 142 Berkeley St, Boston MA, 02116
4. Check the boxes “to allow bi-directional communication with service provider” for your therapist AND “Share medical records with another provider” for your primary care provider
5. Check off “Abstract”
6. INITIAL next to any pertinent categories. Please always initial next to the 2 bullets listing Behavioral Health Information
7. Sign and date. Return signed forms to transyouth@fenwayhealth.org instead of the address on the form.

What to Expect - Initial Appointments

You will have an opportunity to meet with a medical provider, a behavioral health provider, and our Youth and Family Coordinator. Your care team will get to know you and your parent(s) or guardian(s). This is an opportunity for all of us to talk about your goals for gender affirmation, ask questions, share information, and review your medical, social, and gender histories.

We will come up with a plan to complete a behavioral health assessment. Whether your behavioral health care is with your own therapist or with us, the goal is to learn about your experience with gender and gender dysphoria, your goals for gender affirming care, your skills and strengths, and your family and social support system as it relates to your care.

Your care team will spend time talking about both non-medical and medical gender affirming options. Discussions will cover:

Benefits and risks of any supportive medical treatment plan
Permanent and non-permanent changes related to gender affirming hormones
Fertility goals

Review & Next Steps

Have a copy of your medical records sent to Fenway

Request past medical records from your pediatrician, therapist, and specialty providers by completing the Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information.
Complete one form for each provider
Instructions for the Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information:
1. Enter your information
2. Enter your outside provider information (Primary care provider, therapist, psychiatrist or other specialist). There will need to be a separate document for each provider
3. Our information: Fenway Health; Phone: 617-457-8140; Fax: 617-638-0033; Address: 142 Berkeley St, Boston MA, 02116
4. Please check the box “to allow bi-directional communication with service provider” AND “Share medical records with another provider”
5. Mark next to All records
6. Please INITIAL next to any pertinent categories. Please always initial next to the 2 bullets listing Behavioral Health information.
7. Sign and date
Email completed forms to transyouth@fenwayhealth.org

Get a referral from your current Primary Care Provider (if applicable). Be sure to include your appointment date and time, and your Fenway provider’s name and NPI number. Referrals can be faxed to 617.425.5730
Communicate your goals and needs with your provider during your appointment
Move forward with your care!

Binding

Trans Health Q&A: Binding 101

Binding Guide

Tucking

Resources coming soon

Voice Therapy and Training

Resources coming soon

Name and Gender Marker Changes

Peer Support

Community

Health Information

Legal Assistance

Research

Transgender Health Research
The Fenway Institute

Parent/Guardian Support Group 1^st Thursday of each month, 7-8:30PM
This parent/guardian group provides an open opportunity for any parent(s)/guardian(s) of trans or gender diverse people to ask questions, get information, share experiences and develop community connections and support with other parents/guardians. Parents/guardians of any age trans/gender diverse person are welcome. This group is focused on providing information from a medical provider and a behavioral health provider, as well as other parents/guardians, and to provide a space to ask questions or voice any concerns they have. Parents/guardians (no matter their level of trans literacy) can get support and information, and process thoughts and emotions that might not feel comfortable or appropriate to talk about with the trans and gender diverse young people in their lives. Zoom link: https://fenwaytelehealth.zoom.us/j/95611193408 Meeting ID: 956 1119 3408 Find your local number: https://fenwaytelehealth.zoom.us/u/acdcDmpfsl

Parent/Guardian Support Group
1^st Thursday of each month, 7-8:30PM

This parent/guardian group provides an open opportunity for any parent(s)/guardian(s) of trans or gender diverse people to ask questions, get information, share experiences and develop community connections and support with other parents/guardians. Parents/guardians of any age trans/gender diverse person are welcome. This group is focused on providing information from a medical provider and a behavioral health provider, as well as other parents/guardians, and to provide a space to ask questions or voice any concerns they have. Parents/guardians (no matter their level of trans literacy) can get support and information, and process thoughts and emotions that might not feel comfortable or appropriate to talk about with the trans and gender diverse young people in their lives.

Zoom link: https://fenwaytelehealth.zoom.us/j/95611193408
Meeting ID: 956 1119 3408
Find your local number: https://fenwaytelehealth.zoom.us/u/acdcDmpfsl

Youth and Families Support Resources
Tips for Parents and Guardians of Transgender Youth
Gender Spectrum
SAYFTEE
Greater Boston PFLAG
Theyby Parenting

For clinical case consultation, we recommend Transline: Transgender Medical Consultation Service. Responses are typically received within 2-3 business days.

For additional information, we recommend the resources below.

Medical Appointments (TGD youth under 18)
617.457.8140

Behavioral Health (TGD youth ages 12 and up)
617.927.6202

Any other questions?
617.356.1573 or transyouth@fenwayhealth.org

All Access Hours are free, 20-minute appointments with our Youth and Family Coordinator to learn more about care at Fenway Health and the resources and support offered through the Trans Health Program:
All Access Hours Appointments

Is your question not answered here? Give us a call!

617.356.1573 or transyouth@fenwayhealth.org

Medical Appointments (TGD youth under 18)

617.457.8140

Behavioral Health (TGD youth ages 12 and up)

617.927.6202

Any other questions?

617.356.1573 or transyouth@fenwayhealth.org

Looking for information about care, services, and resources for trans and gender diverse adults (18+)?

Sign up for our Trans Health Program newsletters to keep up to date on events, key initiatives, and more:

Give Us Your Feedback

How did we do? Whether it’s about your visit, the care you received, or our customer service, we want to know.

Upcoming Events

march, 2023

Recent Blog Posts

Fenway Health announces receipt of $10,000,000 in charitable commitments for ‘Areas of Need’ Funding

February 9, 2023

Viability of gender-affirming health care is linked with policies and institutions that protect the rights and dignity of transgender and gender diverse people

December 16, 2022

Honoring Transgender Awareness Month 2022

November 10, 2022

Editorial Published In Annals Of Internal Medicine Calls For Greater Engagement Of Transgender And Gender Diverse People In Health Care Decision-Making

October 4, 2022

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Interpretation Services Servicios de interpretación Serviços de interpretação 口译服务 Sèvis Entèpretasyon

Interpretation Services Servicios de interpretación Serviços de interpretação 口译服务 Sèvis Entèpretasyon

Trans and Gender Diverse Youth and Adolescents

Medical Care

Behavioral Health

Support Services

Youth & Family Orientation Night

Binding

Tucking

Packers and STPs

Bras and Breast Forms

Surgery

Voice Therapy and Training

Name and Gender Marker Changes

Peer Support

Community

Health Information

Legal Assistance

Research

Is your question not answered here? Give us a call!

Medical Appointments (TGD youth under 18)

617.457.8140

Behavioral Health (TGD youth ages 12 and up)

617.927.6202

617.356.1573 or transyouth@fenwayhealth.org

Sign up for our Trans Health Program newsletters to keep up to date on events, key initiatives, and more:

Give Us Your Feedback

Upcoming Events

Recent Blog Posts

Fenway Health announces receipt of $10,000,000 in charitable commitments for ‘Areas of Need’ Funding

Viability of gender-affirming health care is linked with policies and institutions that protect the rights and dignity of transgender and gender diverse people

Honoring Transgender Awareness Month 2022

Editorial Published In Annals Of Internal Medicine Calls For Greater Engagement Of Transgender And Gender Diverse People In Health Care Decision-Making

How did we do?

Manage Your Care Online

More Information