The Gender Identity Clinic of New England will close December 30, 2009. Records for seven years following the date of an evaluatioin or end of therapy will be retained by Dr. Kathleen Sterner for persons when they are ready for reassignment surgery and need a letter of recommendation and records forwarded to a surgeon of their choice. Before records can be released to a surgeon a letter of permission to release the records as well as the name and address of the surgeon must be sent to Kathleen M. Sterner, Ph.D. at 2446 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117 with a check for $25.00 to cover preparation time, processing and mailing costs. The permission letter is required because the records are confidential.

Dr. Sterner will continue to provide therapy, consultation and evaluations and can be reached at 860-232-2740; fax 860-218-9963. The psychotherapy is available for persons who are confused about their gender or are uncertain about whether to proceed toward transition, as well as for persons experiencing emotional difficulties associated with gender dysphoria. Therapy is also available for families or a family member who may be in crisis or may be having difficulty understanding and accepting the gender issues of a husband, wife, son, daughter, father or significant other. Insurance for the therapy is available as long as Dr. Sterner is covered by a person's policy. Some companies require an authorization for treatment which the person should obtain prior to seeking the initial therapy session. If preferred for complete confidentiality, a direct payment for services will be accepted.

Evaluations involve obtaining a social history and administering psychological tests to determine that one is intellectually capable of making a decision regarding transition and has no major, overriding emotional problems which can interfere with and complicate a decision to transition. Should such problems be determined to exist, therapy is available until the problems are appropriately reduced or resolved. The fee for the evaluation procedure is $1500 payable at the time of the evaluation. The evaluations are not covered by insurance.

Referrals will be available to psychiatrists and an endocrinologist for those who require a second letter of acknowledgment and/or aproval for hormones.

For additional information contact:

Kathleen M. Sterner, Ph.D.

2446 Albany Avenue

West Hartford, CT06117

Phone: 860-232-2740

Fax: 860-218-9963