Gender Wellness Clinic
Gender Affirming
Mental Health Support
The Heartwood Program is pleased to offer an interdisciplinary LGBTQ+ mental health clinic providing inclusive and affirming care for adolescents, young adults, and their families. In a world full of labels and categories, our interdisciplinary team creates a flexible, safe space where each individual is seen, heard, and supported.
We offer gender-affirming therapy, support groups, and clinical assessments tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, including those who are transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, intersex, and questioning. We take the time to understand your story and provide personalized recommendations for the next steps in your mental health journey.
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Our adolescent, parent, and young adult groups offer longitudinal support, and we have established relationships with experts in the community that allow us to provide support and referrals when appropriate. As you learn more about yourself, we hope to partner with you in protecting your health and well-being.
Who We Serve
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Adolescents ages 11-17 who identify as lesbian, gay, trans, gender nonconforming, gender queer, questioning, nonbinary, intersex, and asexual
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Young adults ages 18-28 who identify as trans, gender nonconforming, gender queer, and nonbinary.
Available Services
Interdisciplinary Evaluation for Process Groups:
A comprehensive clinical assessment regarding an individual’s gender development and identity. A skilled clinician completes the evaluation, and in consultation with the multi-disciplinary
GWC team, provides a multi-modal approach as well as guide recommendations for next steps.​
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Adolescent Process Group:
Participants meet weekly to share their struggles and seek support and insight from other trans and non-binary peers. It is a safe place to experiment with being vulnerable about
gender and broader teen issues as well as take social risks that ultimately lead to greater feelings of acceptance. Process group is also a place for participants to address dynamics in the group. The therapist guides participants around how to examine feelings as they arise and to express them in affirming ways so that they can learn about themselves in relation to others.
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Parent Support Group:
A discussion group resource for parents of children and adolescents who are trans-gender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary. This group aims to provide both support and education. It provides a forum for parents to express themselves and also addresses topics relating to youths’ developmental stages. This group provides a safe space to ask questions, process feelings, and learn from peers and experts. From the biological basis of gender identity to advocating for equal access in public spaces, a broad range of topics are addressed based on the needs expressed by the parents in group
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Young Adult Process Group:
Participants meet weekly to share their struggles and seek support and insight from other trans and non-binary peers. As with the Adolescent Process group, it is a safe place to express being vulnerable about gender and other life concerns, to take social risks leading to greater feelings of acceptance, and to experience how navigating group dynamics can improve social interactions in life. Unique to the YA group is a focus on the particular challenges of young adults – including facing the need for increased independence and decision-making. The therapist guides participants around these themes and how to process related feelings in age-appropriate ways.
Located conveniently in Bethesda, Maryland, The Heartwood Program provides compassionate, expert mental health care for teens and young adults navigating complex challenges.
Have Questions or Ready to Get Started?
Call us at 301-970-4099 to speak with a member of our team or press the request services button below to book an info call.