MindAlign Counselling

1) Are the forms used in your practice inclusive of various sexual orientations and gender identities (e.g. opportunities to fill in different pronouns etc.)? Yes. I offer an option for preferred names and pronouns in my forms, and don’t ask for sex or gender identities.

2) Do you collect and use preferred names (rather than legal names) for all
communications? Yes. My booking/intake platform requires a name, but I’ve added a section to share preferred names to make this more clear and available. I only use preferred names and pronouns when communicating with clients and other relevant professionals unless asked otherwise by the client.

3) Do you and your colleagues have experience providing services that support clients with navigating gender dysphoria*? *TransCareBC describes gender dysphoria as a term "intended to describe the distress some trans people experience with relation to their gender identity, particularly if they would like to transition but have not yet done so." Yes

4) Please tell us how equipped you feel to support a client in determining if/when their mental health symptoms are related to their gender-related experiences or other factors? I believe in the intersectionality of experiences and am also affirming of the client’s experience. I believe it is not up to me to decide where/from what a client is impacted most – if a client wonders whether their gender-related experiences are impacting their mental health, then it likely is! Choosing between one or the other is dismissive of both sides of experiences and the wholeness of the person’s experience.

5) Do you/your colleagues understand the difference between gender dysphoria and mental health conditions/symptoms that are unrelated to gender dysphoria or distress? Yes

6) Do you and your colleagues have experience working with people who identify as living with a disability or chronic illness? Please tell us more about your experience and any training you have received. Yes – I have worked with (and currently work with) clients with autoimmune diseases, chronic diagnoses (ie. Fibromyalgia), mobility challenges, learning disabilities, to name a few.

7) Are you and your colleagues comfortable asking relevant questions about gender identity and sexual orientation? Yes – I am always looking to learn and better understand! I will say, I do not put clients on the spot and ask for their orientation or identity – I always give them the autonomy to decide if they feel safe to share with me without feeling pressured to disclose.

8) Do you offer Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ specific resources, for example Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers? I refer to the client’s local community experts for much of this, or consult with my colleagues if I’m looking for a resource specific to the client.

9) Do you and your colleagues ask clients about pronouns and use them appropriately? Yes

10) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for Two-Spirit, queer, or trans Indigenous individuals accessing your services? Yes – I try to mitigate these where I can

11) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals accessing your services? Yes.

12) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for trans individuals accessing your services? Yes

13) Are there clear anti-discrimination policies that include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in your organization or practice? Yes

14) Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in decolonizing their practices and/or organization? If yes, please type below what actions you and/or your organization are taking. I regularly take courses, follow decolonization-focused pages and professionals, and have open conversations with colleagues in the field about decolonizing our practices – and implement what I learn where I can.

15) Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in anti-racist practices, policies, and systems in their care model? Yes