Cheryl Enstad, MSW, LICSW
Licensed TherapistFor Gender-Expansive Individuals & Their Families
About Cheryl
My practice is dedicated to gender expansive and questioning adults, teens and their families, including assessment and ongoing support in all stages of life. I always have room for gender affirmation letters. Sometimes people need a gender-competent provider to support them in other areas, like anxiety, depression, OCD and trauma. I also offer consultation and trainings for therapists, agencies and medical providers to better support transgender and nonbinary clients and employees, and to develop inclusive policies and forms according to agency values, professional ethical standards, state and federal laws. I can help therapists increase trans competency with case consultation and guidance through gender affirmation letters according to WPATH standards of care. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, large or small.
BELLINGHAM, WA & VIRTUAL THERAPY WITH A
FOCUS ON GENDER & TRAUMA
GENDER
Many people need a gender-focused therapist. From questioning gender and beginning to think about how friends, family, classmates and co-workers will respond, to navigating paperwork, transition options, fertility and insurance, I work with people at all stages of their gender experience. I also help gender expansive and questioning individuals with depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma and dissociation.
TRAUMA
When we don’t have access to the resources we need to be protected, we build coping strategies like avoidance that help us get through the moment, but don’t always serve us in the long run. When unprocessed trauma and overwhelm gets triggered, our reactions can hurt ourselves or others. Let’s figure out these patterns and process stuck points so you can live lighter, as your essential self.
ADDITIONAL AREAS OF
SPECIALIZATION
In addition to supporting gender expansive people and their families, I also have a sub-specialty in trauma and dissociative disorders, including dissociation as a survival skill from trauma and people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specific (DDNOS) who have at least one gender expansive part. I have experience helping with depression and anxiety, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I work with adolescents (age 12 or older) and adults of all ages. Some of the issues I can help you with include:
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Gender Identity
Identity work with gender expansive teens and adults
- Anxiety, Depression, OCD
- Trauma Processing
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Functional Multiplicity
Working with systems to improve functioning and communication
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Dissociation
Dissociative Disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
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Abuse Recovery
Physical, sexual and emotional abuse recovery
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Parents' Adjustment
Parent’s adjustment and their gender exploring/gender expansive childrens’ needs
GENDER AFFIRMATION
Letters
Although I believe in an Informed Consent model, most insurances and surgeons require letters of readiness that follow the World Professional Association for Transgender health (WPATH) standards of care. I have extensive experience writing gender affirmation letters, working with insurances, and understanding WPATH standards. When we meet you will never have to “prove” you are trans or nonbinary. We will talk about your lifetime gender experience, goals, how to make sure you are stable and supported for your planned gender affirming intervention, and communicate your needs to your surgeon. This usually takes one session, sometimes two to three.
TELEMEDICINE & SOCIAL DISTANCING
COVID-19 UPDATE
THERAPEUTIC GROUPS
for nonbinary and trans folks
NB, FEMME & TRANS WOMXN
Clients’ needs will determine weekly topics that will guide group therapy
NB, MASC & TRANS MEN
Clients’ needs will determine weekly topics that will guide group therapy
Helping your anxious child
A group for parents of gender expansive children
VISUAL JOURNALING
A non-traditional, therapeutic group for people of all ages dealing with anxiety and/or depression
Book group (NON-THERAPY)
Reading books by nonbinary and trans authors and/or with nonbinary and trans characters