As a person-centered therapist, I believe the resources you need are within you. Not in a woo-y way – more like, the more we allow ourselves to consider our own needs, desires, boundaries, and relationships, the more we’re able to intentionally act on them. I also appreciate Marsha Linehan’s powerful dialectic:

• People mostly are doing the best we can, with the contexts we’ve been given, AND
• we could all try a little harder to be better for ourselves and others.

Sometimes “trying a little harder” means giving ourselves permission to reach out for support. Here’s where to start:

Crisis Lines

• BlackLine – by/for BIPOC community, will not call the police
• Crisis Text Line (national) – text HOME to 741-741
• Multnomah County Crisis Line – 24/7 support for mental health crises in Multnomah County
• Fireside Project – help during/after drug experiences
• Thrive Lifeline – mental health support by/for multiply-marginalized communities, will not call the police
• Trans Lifeline – by/for TGD community, will not call the police
• Wildflower Alliance – peer support/warmline, will not call the police

Trans and Gender Diverse Specific Resources

Updating Documents

• Obtain passport (valid for 10 years!)
• Renew state ID (Oregon) / (Pennsylvania) / (other states)
• Update name/gender marker on birth certificate
• Info from Chosen Family Law Center on changing your gender marker to X in 2024

Support

• Q Center groups (local! amazing!)
• OHSU resources on surgeries (local! amazing!)
• Dr. Colt St. Amand’s short informational YouTubes on TGD surgeries
• GaL-AA (info on queer-welcoming 12-step groups)
• PFLAG Portland
• SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
• Gender & Sexuality Alliance support (finding one, staring one) in Portland Public Schools
• Info on your nearest Planned Parenthood (HRT, primary care, etc)
• Northwest Gender Alliance
• Outside In (primary and behavioral care for young adults)

Concrete Advice

• Oblique Strategies (what is this?)
• Totally free 8-week online course on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
• Obtaining Levonorgestrel (generic Plan B) at Costco for $6 (no membership, no prescription, no ID)
• Obtaining abortion pills for future use ($150, shelf-life 12 months)
• Donate – International Rescue Committee
• Donate – TransLifeline
• How to Leave a Bad Situation – ideas here and here
• Go touch grass – ideas here and here and here