Medical, behavioral and emotional services
When you choose a Spectrum Health provider, you are choosing personalized, supportive and effective care in a setting that maintains your dignity. Our "Safe and Affirming" providers are trained to be culturally and technically competent, and to help you reach your health goals—because developing a long-term relationship with our team can only be accomplished if you feel safe and heard.
Primary care
Even if you’re generally healthy, it’s important to connect with a primary care provider every year. Preventive visits and screenings can help you manage your health goals and catch developing issues early. Your Primary Care Provider can also refer you additional specialists, as needed.
It’s also a great time to talk about your lifestyle, wellness goals and your mental health. Engaging in an open dialogue about mental health is important in helping you feel supported in all aspects of your identity and medical needs.
HIV and STI care
Your Primary Care Provider can provide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and routine HIV and other STI screenings based on your personal history and PrEP indications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Living with a chronic illness like HIV can be overwhelming. If you’re living with HIV, we can help provide information and referrals for long-term management.
Specialty care
Our targeted programs and trained specialists provide support and assistance to intersex, transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people. If you are experiencing significant distress or impairment because you identify as a different gender—or if you’ve been diagnosed with what is clinically known as gender dysphoria—and would like to explore your options and/or receive ongoing, targeted care, our providers are here to help.
Counseling and mental health services are also available as a part of your care team and your health journey. With experience and training in LGBTQIA+ issues and needs, we have behavioral health specialists who can help you work through trauma, abuse, bullying, and loss of family, community and spiritual support; and manage depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
Bullying and abuse can take many forms, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, or those perceived to be, are at higher risk of being subjected to violence. If you feel unsafe at home or in your relationship, don't hesitate to talk to your primary care provider about violence—mental and physical—that you may be experiencing, as well as what a healthy relationship looks like.
Our specialists can also:
- Conduct general mental health evaluations
- Prescribe medicine and/or refer you to a specialist for further diagnostic testing if needed—your primary care provider can also take this step with you
- Conduct evaluations before beginning gender-confirmation surgeries
- Connect you with local resources
- And more—because mental health care is health care
You can initiate therapy and psychiatric services on your own, but your primary care provider can help with any referrals needed for psychological testing and connect you with the appropriate mental health resource.
Download these lifestyle tips that can help boost your mental wellbeing and physical health.
For immediate assistance, these resources are here to help:
The Network / La Red Hotline is survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, SM, polyamorous and queer communities. Visit the website or call 617.742.4911.
National Domestic Violence Hotline advocates are available to listen without judgment 24/7. Call 800.799.SAFE (7233), text ‘START’ to 88788, or start a live chat.
Our OB-GYNs provide a multitude of services and are ready to help anyone in need of gynecological care. Our providers:
- Conduct routine health screenings and exams including cervical cancer screenings for any person who has a cervix.
- Provide postoperative management for transgender women who have undergone vaginoplasty—no matter where the surgery was performed.
- Perform and provide postoperative care for hysterectomies.
- Provide pregnancy support and services for anyone who is or may become pregnant, including transgender men who are or wish to become pregnant.
- Discuss and refer to fertility services, such as The Fertility Center, for those seeking a general consult; those exploring IVF, sperm and egg banking options especially prior to beginning hormone treatment for transitioning or for another reason; or for those who desire to become pregnant after stopping testosterone.
All individuals and couples of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome.
Our highly-trained endocrinologists provide the following options and more for those seeking gender-affirming treatment:
- Develop an ongoing care plan that takes you through the endocrine transition.
- Start hormone therapy and ensure a safe and effective hormone regimen, which may include oral medications, injections or topical treatments. After getting established and reaching maintenance dosages, hormone treatments may be managed with an annual appointment or through your Primary Care provider.
Some Primary Care Providers also offer these services. All patients, adult and minors, using endocrinology services are asked to sign a consent to treatment form.
Gender transition is a personal and individualized process. When you feel ready to consider moving forward with transitioning, your PCP can help make any referrals needed to specialists. In addition to endocrinology and OBGYN services, next steps may include:
- Hair removal and maintenance—Options include laser hair reduction or electrolysis, and may be needed for some procedures.
- Speech therapy—Your speech therapist and you can work together to determine the best treatment plan. This often begins with voice and communication therapy to develop a voice and communication style that matches your internal gender identity and sense of self.
- Completing required behavioral health evaluations and other preparation in advance of chest and/or genital gender-affirming surgery.
- Gender-affirming surgeries—Our providers can perform a variety of gender-affirming surgeries, or direct you to a specialist best suited to your needs. Our services include: top surgery; facial feminization procedures; breast removal and implants; vaginoplasty; hysterectomy; oophorectomy; and orchiectomy. Contact your primary care provider to get started.
Get the Care You Need
Find a provider that's right for you or contact our patient navigator for assistance.