Adolescents with gender dysphoria experience a marked incongruence between their experienced gender identity and their gender assigned at birth (based on their sexual anatomy) accompanied by distress. Gender identity refers to one’s sense of self as female or male. Increasingly, youth identify with a gender that differs from the traditional dichotomous classification of females and males: non-binary, gender fluid, gender queer etc.
You can be rest assured that at Skooc, you and your family are in good hands.
Keep a lookout for some of the following signs of gender dysphoria in your teenager. These signs may be physical, mental, or behavioural in nature. These patterns typically develop in early childhood. They can also start to emerge as the adolescent grows into a young adult. They typically engage in behaviour typically associated with the opposite sex and tend to refuse to participate in sports or activities traditionally associated with their at-birth gender.
feel strongly that their gender identity differs from the sex they were given at birth or tell you that they feel unsure about their gender
Feelings of disgust with their genitals, Avoiding activities that would require them to touch or see their genitals (e.g. taking showers)
Preoccupation with ridding their body of primary and secondary sex characteristics through surgery, hormones, or other medical procedures
Expressed desire that others treat them and refer to them as their gender identity and use a different pronoun like ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they.’
Expressed a desire to live according to their gender identity
The distress caused by the conflict between their biological sex (assigned gender) and the gender they identify with
want to get rid of the physical signs of their sex or have those of a different sex – for example, your child might say they want to use medication to become more masculine or feminine, or they might start wearing clothes that hide their body
show signs of depression or anxiety– for example, not wanting to take part in social situations, particularly activities that are gendered, like sport
If you notice recurring instances of a few of these symptoms in your teenager, we at Skooc recommend a formal evaluation.
At Skooc, we help you better understand what you and your teenager are going through. While some adolescents might express their feelings of gender dysphoria to their parents or a doctor, others might instead show symptoms of a mood disorder, anxiety or depression or display social or academic problems. Your family doctor or teen’s paediatrician can do a preliminary evaluation. However, it’s essential that you have your teen evaluated by a child and adolescent psychologist or psychiatrist, preferably one who has experience treating gender dysphoria. They will evaluate your teen to confirm the incongruence of their gender identity and sex assigned at birth, their history and development of gender dysphoric feelings, the impact of the stigma attached to gender nonconformity on their mental health.
Click here to take an assessment.
Next Steps and Intervention
Our team of professional psychologists at Skooc can help you and your family by providing the necessary interventions. A treatment plan for a teenager with gender dysphoria may include any or all of the following:
Individual psychotherapy - For teens with gender dysphoria, psychotherapy aims to help young people better understand themselves. This is achieved through clarifying and teaching them how to accept their gender identity. Individual therapy also supports teens in learning how to cope with the stress of gender dysphoria. This includes stigma related to the transgender and gender non-conforming community. The aim of therapy is to not only help the young person manage their distress but also provide a supportive, confidential, and safe environment.
Family therapy - Family plays a vital role in the emotional well-being of teens with gender dysphoria. These teens can also present unique and complex challenges in the familial setting. Through therapy, a family unit can be strengthened. All members have the opportunity to be supported. Parents or caregivers can be helped to better understand the transgender experience, including learning terminology and supportive language (appropriate pronoun use).
Group therapy - Participation in a therapeutic group can benefit teens with gender dysphoria. They gain support from peers in a safe and encouraging setting.
Bangalore
When we came to Skooc we had a 17 year old who was so depressed that he had lost 15 kilos, was not eating, not sleeping and did not talk to us. His condition was so bad that even medicines were not helping. When we started therapy at Skooc, we were so happy that it was on video because he would not even step out of his room. It was a slow process, but our child has improved. Rachit is now recovering under the guidance of Ms. Rowena and we are very much relieved and happy. Thank you to Skooc and your excellent counsellors.
Pune
Siya was diagnosed with ADHD when she was only 8. At 14 we saw so many problems coming up that we felt she can never even finish school. But working with Sarah we saw how to manage the disorder and make her do better at her social life, sports and studies. For a child who could not at all focus, she is now able to sit for 30-35 minutes and able to plan and do her work.
Hi Devi, Thank you very much for helping Kiara with her depression. We were all so upset ad scared about what she is going through and what had happened to our usually happy 15 year old. Ankita is a wonderful therapist and she has made a big difference in her life. I will always be grateful for your help.
Coimbatore
My son Akshat is 13 and stopped going to school. Everyday when we would wake he will start to refuse and in one hour there was screaming, crying and drama. My wife and I were so tired and exhausted. School was also getting very tough on us. When we came to Skooc, we were desperate and we got very good counselling for my son and for us. We came to understand how he was bullied and that has caused trauma. We never thought how severe it is for him. Miss Rowena helped us to also manage his fear very well. He is now able to go back and teachers are also supporting him
Bangalore
I was very unsure about making my teenager son do online therapy sessions. I thought online will not be so effective. But I am so glad I tried it. I can see great improvement in his behaviour. I also understand him better now. His anxiety and anger issues are under control now. Thanks to our counsellor Shreya.
Bangalore
My daughter Ria was teased very badly in school for being fat and would be very embarrassed about even going out. When we went to the doctor we were shocked to find out that she was very overweight and had high cholesterol. We joined Skooc and both she and I have dropped our extra weight and even after finishing the full course are able to stick with the habits we learnt at Skooc. We are both very happy with our new healthy bodies.
Gurugram
My child who is 5 was behaving very badly and was beating me. She was disobedient and would show anger. When I called to Skooc, I was very sad and did not know what to do. With play therapy for my daughter and with parenting therapy for me, in 2 months she was behaving like other children in her age. I was very happy and she was also not getting angry at me. Thank you to our counsellor Shilpi.
Pune
My 16 year old struggled with anxiety and was in a bad shape. The counselling at Skooc has helped with his difficulty in studies and exams. The counsellors are really good
Delhi NCR
My son has lost 15 kgs and I lost 10 kgs through the Skooc program. It was easily paced and did not ever restrict my child from eating anything that was essential. He had a balanced meal everyday and he and his counsellor agreed on a schedule that was easy for me to cook too. From a child who watched TV all the time and ate junk food, Ayaan is now an active child and a healthy eater who is very happy and confident with how he looks.
Mumbai
We really struggled with our 10 year old daughter’s ADHD. We have consulted more than 6 counsellors and saw no effect. At Skooc Dr.Jasmin helped us very much by taking smaller sessions to help Sanaa focus more. And in just 2 months we saw so much better results. She is better in her daily habits and also in her studies very satisfied with the treatment for my hyperactive child and parent counselling.
My daughter lost 11 kgs across the Skooc program which was more than 10% of her body weight and has stayed in the healthy range of BMI since then. She now makes the right decisions regarding her foods and is aware of the effect of what she eats and her exercise on her weight.
Hyderabad
Skooc has helped my daughter get into a great shape physically and mentally. She has lost weight and is no longer in the risk zone for type II diabetes. The program worked with my daughter and me to help us understand how to correct what we were doing. Very importantly, my daughter and I no longer fight over what she eats and what she does not. If you are looking for a weight loss coaching for your kids then Skooc is the right choice.
My son has lost 15 kgs and I lost 10 kgs through the Skooc program. It was easily paced and did not ever restrict my child from eating anything that was essential. He had a balanced meal everyday and he and his counsellor agreed on a schedule that was easy for me to cook too. From a child who watched TV all the time and ate junk food, Ayaan is now an active child and a healthy eater who is very happy and confident with how he looks.
Philadelphia
Manish was severely obese with a risk of contracting chronic conditions. After joining the Skooc program, he has lost over 15 Kgs and has started to exercises everyday for 45 minutes. He suffered from pain in the knees which has gone now and he is able to run and play with his friends. It has been 1 year since he started to lose weight and he is still in the process successfully losing wight and getting healthy.
Philadelphia
Ria was teased very badly in school for being fat and would be very embarrassed about even going out. When we went to the doctor we were shocked to find out that she was very overweight and had high cholesterol. We joined Skooc and both she and I have dropped our extra weight and even after finishing the full course are able to stick with the habits we learnt at Skooc. We are both very happy with our new healthy bodies.
Philadelphia
My son suffered from constant digestive issues and obesity. He found it very difficult to run and play due to his thighs being very fat and also he suffered from pains in his knees, hips. He also had trouble breathing after even walking a small distance. We joined Skooc because we had tried to put Jay on a diet before and it had not worked. At Skooc, he dropped 24Kgs and is now a teenager who was healthily and works out everyday. I personally dropped 16Kgs and now we are both very close to entering our ideal weight zone
Mumbai
Devi, I want to thank you so much for helping Sharan. When we came to you he was doing so badly in his studies and we used to get complaints all the time from school. Through Peak Performance, he has changed the way he studies and the parenting sessions helped us also so much in managing our frustration. I want to than Ankita also for helping him score such good marks
Mumbai
My 17 year old was addicted to his mobile phone and games. His counselling with Skooc was different because it was online and I had wanted offline. But when I saw how good it was going through video counselling, I understood that the quality of the counselling matters not if it is online or offline. Now we are all having healthy technology habits and my son also is very moderated in his usage.
Noida
Hi Devi, I wanted to say thank you for assigning the best therapist for me and my child. Shilpi was able to help us do a very good assessment and help me with understanding that the problem was. I have been trying to understand the issue with my child for 2 years now and in 1 week she has started the right treatment. The parents counseling for me is also making me a much better parent.
Bangalore
Hi, I want to express my gratitude to the Skooc team and Rowena for helping my daughter and us. When a child who wants to end her life it is horrible for her, everyone around her and us. I thank your team who worked with us as a family to resolve this issue and make her and us better and happier.
Delhi NCR
Thank you madam for helping my son. He was too depressed after a relationship broke up and was so lonely and did not even want to live. Miss. Sarah was very understanding to help me and my wife with our frustration and disappointment and with our son. She never made him feel not guilty and helped his confidence and self-esteem and motivated him for living. We will always bless you.
Delhi NCR
Hi Devi, we finished counselling for Dharshika today. Thank you for all your help and for giving us such a good counsellor. She is her old happy, funny, loving girl again.
UK
Hi Devi, Just to let you know today was the last day of our 12 week PCIT. There has been a huge change in Shrey’s behaviour and our frustration levels also. When you explained the program to us first I just went with you because I was so desperate. But The program is so well planned and conducted that we could see changes in our behaviour and my son’s. Now we have a child who is not throwing tantrums and being difficult in public. He is so much better at school and we are also much more confident about managing him.
Chennai
Thank you for the counselling and guidance for helping Aanya back to school. As you know COVID made it so difficult for small children especially and getting my 6 year old daughter back to school was really becoming very tough. Thanks to your program on PCIT, we were able to overcome this fear in her and get her back. Thanks also for helping me as a parent manage my emotions and feelings.
Delhi
Good evening. Pooja and I want to thank you a lot for all your help with Viaan’s social difficulty in school. We never realised how much anxiety a 9 year old could be experiencing and how it was showing up. Thank you for helping us get back our calm and kind child and also helping us understand these problems in such great detail.