While many states and health care providers across the nation are putting restrictions on gender-affirming care, driven in part by misconceptions people have about it, Cougar Health Services (CHS) at Washington State University Pullman is expanding its gender-affirming care team to make sure students have access to these vital services.
Sunday Henry, director of medical services and a family physician at CHS, said that the clinic has been offering gender-affirming care to students for several years. As students have become more aware of these services the demand for them has increased, prompting her to expand the number of providers with additional training in gender-affirming care, which includes services such as education, counseling, and hormone therapy.
CHS currently has two doctors and a nurse practitioner with specialty training in gender-affirming therapy, and every provider is qualified to provide primary care for any WSU Pullman student seeking services at the clinic.
“I wanted to institute a team approach in our clinic where we have multiple providers with this skill set who can serve as a resource for our entire staff,” she said.
Reaching their ‘full identity’
For many WSU students, college is a time to discover who they are, and sometimes it is after being away from home and meeting new people that they realize their outward appearance may not fully reflect who they are inside, said Kathy Kincaid, an advanced registered nurse practitioner and a member of the gender-affirming care team at CHS. The team works with students who are at the beginning of their journey and with students who come to campus already engaged in the gender transition process.
“There are medical components to it, but gender-affirming care is really about helping students reach their full identity and be the person they see themselves as in their heart,” Kincaid said. “Not feeling comfortable in your body every day often restricts what you are willing and able to do in life.”
The team typically sees one or more students seeking gender-affirming care every day, most of whom learn about the team’s services from other students, the LGBTQ+ Center, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
“They are often nervous and intimidated at first, but once they get to know us, they see we are not there to judge them, and that we want to provide options that will work best for them,” Kincaid said.
Building trust is key
Some students considering or undergoing a gender transition may not have supportive friends or family. That is one reason Elizabeth McSpadden, a primary care psychologist who works as an extended member of the gender-affirming care team, said it is very important for them to have access to counseling. CAPS has a same-day mental health clinic that students considering a gender transition can visit if they wish.
“From my experience, the students are excited to know there is not just a medical provider on their care team, but someone from CAPS is there for them as well,” McSpadden said. “Having a confidential space with a provider who is practicing from a gender-affirming approach can be really great for students.”
Henry said many students do not share right away that they are interested in gender-affirming care, only doing so after they have built trust with a provider.
“That is why we feel it is so important to have an environment for students where they feel safe, welcomed, and know their information is kept confidential, for whatever reason they come to us,” Henry said. “Only then can they feel comfortable asking us the questions they really want answers to.”
Kincaid said it is important for students to get answers to these types of questions because gender affirmation can play a big role in helping them feel a sense of belonging on campus and contribute to their overall health, well-being, and happiness.
“When students realize their gender has been affirmed, they are almost glowing,” she said. “They finally feel comfortable with who they are and who they want to be and are ready for success.”
