Gender Identity Service

Gender identity refers to a person’s basic sense of self as a male or a female. Some children and adolescents are unhappy being a boy or a girl.

What We Offer

We offer assessment and treatment. We help children, youth, ages 3- 18, and their families better understand a young person’s struggle with gender identity development and any related behavioural or emotional problems. We also assess adolescents who are concerned about being sexually aroused by cross-dressing.

We also offer consultation to other professionals (physicians, psychologists, social workers, teachers and other health care workers) locally, across Canada and in the United States.

How It Works

Children and youth from anywhere in Canada are eligible for assessment. We accept referrals from any health care professional, parent or youth aged 16 and older.

Our assessments begin with a telephone interview and then involve several visits to our office. During these appointments we interview the family together and the parents alone. We also give the child or adolescent psychological tests. At the end of the assessment, we give parents feedback about their child or adolescent, and make recommendations for treatment if needed.

Visits are spaced apart, usually over a period of one to two months for people living in Toronto. Families from outside the Greater Toronto Area are seen for an intensive two-day assessment.

Our assessments are covered by all provincial health insurance plans, including OHIP. Medical costs are covered by the province where the child and family live. Some provinces may also pay some travel costs.

How To Reach Us

For more information or to make a referral, please call 416 535.8501 x 4366

Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address

Gender Identity Service
Child, Youth and Family Program
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
250 College Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1R8