Hormone Readiness Assesments

A hormone readiness assessment is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional to determine if a patient is ready to begin hormone therapy. The WPATH Standards of Care requires an assessment before hormone therapy starts.

Before prescribing hormones, you will require an assessment for your readiness for treatment. Many primary care providers (Family Doctors or Nurse Practitioners) can provide readiness assessments for hormone therapy.However, not all primary care providers feel comfortable assessing hormone readiness or initiating treatment. In this case, they may refer you to other providers, such as a or by a counsellor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. As we mentioned above, you do not need to engage an assessor if your primary care provider can provide the readiness assessment. In some cases, however, a primary care provider may recommend an assessment from a mental health provider.

If you do not have a family doctor, or are on a waitlist, you can still be given a referral to an endocrinologist. This can be done by attending a walk-in clinic or trans-specific health centre. TransCare BC can also provide information or support with finding a provider. Generally these referrals do require ahormone readiness assessment by a mental health provider.

Most mental health providers are private-pay. There are some public (free) options for hormone readiness assessment in the community; these may require a referral. If you have been told to get an assessment from a mental health provider or if you need information on low-cost options, you can contact Trans Care BC.

Some people feel anxious about the readiness assessment. They worry about saying the wrong thing and being denied treatment that is very important totheir health and wellbeing. It may ease your fears to know that the focus of the assessment is on supporting you.Your assessor or primary care provider will ask you about:

● Your gender and feelings about your body, including your embodiment goals● The effects you expect to see from estrogen-based or testosterone-based hormone therapies and effects you would rather avoid● Your expectations for timing of desired changes and understanding that responses are individual and are influenced by many factors (for example, your genetics and metabolics)● Your health history (current and past medical and mental health conditions, surgical history, medications, allergies, smoking status, exercise, nutrition, family history, etc.)● Your understanding of the risks and benefits associated with hormone therapy● Your support network and strategies for thriving in your changing gender expression with family and friends, at work and at school

Prior to the appointment, you will need to fill out a health history form, and to sign a consent form allowing me to disclose the relevant information to your referring provider(s). The actual meeting and assessment will be scheduled for one hour. After the appointment, the provider will prepare the assessment and send it securely to the referring provider(s) within 2 weeks.

The total cost for the assessment is 300$. Those with extended health benefits for counselling may be able to be reimbursed. A sliding scale rate for clients with financial need is available upon request.

PLEASE NOTE: While Holly has completed the necessary training and meets all the qualifications to administer Hormone Readiness Assessments as per the standards of the WPATH Standards of Care and Transcare BC, your referring provider may only accept Hormone Readiness Assessments only from certain types of mental health professionals. Please confirm with your referring provider before booking that they will accept an assessment by a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC).