This specialist service is staffed by a multi-disciplinary group with contributions from child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, social work, psychotherapy and paediatrics. The staff works closely together in order to make the most of different team members' expertise and skills.
We see children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties in the development of this gender identity. This may include children who are unhappy with their biological sex and who wish to belong to the other one. Some may be boys who prefer to play the roles of girls and vice versa. Some children may feel comfortable only when playing with peers of the opposite sex, or may frequently cross dress. Children with intersex and other endocrine conditions may be referred if there are concerns with gender identity development. The service also offers counselling to children of parents with transsexualism or other gender identity problems.
How we look at problems
We consider difficulties of gender identity in the context of development process. The aims of the Service are to understand the nature of the obstacles or adverse factors in the development of gender identity and to try to minimise their negative influence. We think that relationships are as important as other factors in contributing to the child's difficulties. Therefore we pay attention in our work to what is happening within the child's/adolescent's relationship with the family, school and other social agencies.
Address referrals to:
Dr Domenico Di Ceglie
Gender Identity Development Service
Portman Clinic
8 Fitzjohns Avenue
London NW3 5NA
Tel: 020 8938 2030
Fax: 020 7431 8320
Eamil: gidu@tavi-port.nhs.uk
Gender Identity Development Service Leaflet
