Shift Change

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. Our intake forms are designed to be inclusive, with open fields for clients to share pronouns, gender identity, and preferred names in their own words.

2) Do you collect and use preferred names (rather than legal names) for all
communications? We collect both legal names and preferred names. Preferred names are used for all client-facing communication. However, all sessions are non-verbal and anonymous—client names are not used during sessions and are instead replaced with client numbers to protect privacy and maintain anonymity.

3) Do you and your colleagues have experience providing services that support clients with navigating gender dysphoria? Yes. Our team is trained in EMDR and experienced in working with clients navigating gender dysphoria. We offer a non-verbal therapeutic model that allows clients to process emotional experiences without having to speak, explain, or disclose their identity. This approach helps reduce the barriers and re-traumatization often experienced in traditional talk therapy settings.

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. All of our work is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which views current symptoms as rooted in unprocessed experiences. The AIP model allows the brain to make new connections and integrate experiences in a way that reduces emotional intensity and supports healing—regardless of whether the origin is gender-related, relational, or traumatic in nature. Should a client want to explore these experiences more deeply in a one-to-one setting, we also offer individual EMDR therapy as a complement to group work.

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. We understand the distinction between gender dysphoria and mental health symptoms that arise from other causes. Our approach avoids pathologizing gender identity or expression and instead focuses on supporting the client’s nervous system in processing distress—whether or not it is related to gender. By using a non-verbal EMDR model, we create space for all forms of emotional material to be addressed without assumption or bias.

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. We have experience supporting clients living with a range of chronic illnesses, disabilities, and access needs—including conditions that may be physical, neurological, sensory, or invisible in nature. We recognize that disability and chronic illness are not just medical experiences, but are often shaped by trauma, systemic harm, and social exclusion. Our team is trained in EMDR with a focus on nervous system regulation and trauma recovery. We have pursued advanced training in working with individuals navigating chronic health conditions, and our non-verbal, body-based approach offers an accessible option for clients who may be fatigued, overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy, or unsupported in other care systems.

7) Are you and your colleagues comfortable asking relevant questions about
gender identity and sexual orientation? Due to the non-verbal nature of our group sessions, we do not ask clients to verbally disclose their gender identity or sexual orientation.

8) Do you offer Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ specific resources, for example,
Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers? We are currently in the process of exploring and building relationships to integrate Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ specific resources into our practice.

9) Do you and your colleagues ask clients about pronouns and use them
appropriately? Yes. Our intake forms include space for clients to share their pronouns, and we use them appropriately in all written communication.