BSc (Hons). MSC. DPsych. Couns. CPsychol. AFBPsS. HCPC Registered Applied Psychologist. BPS Registered Gender Diversity Specialist.
Senior Gender Specialist and Consultant Psychologist.
I am a Senior Gender Specialist and Senior Consultant Psychologist, a BPS Chartered Counselling Psychologist and an HCPC Registered Doctor of Counselling Psychology, Practitioner Psycho-logist and Counselling Psychologist. I am also on the British Psychological Society Register of Gender Diversity Specialists. I have worked in the NHS, the third sector and in academia, including leading medical schools. I have been widely published in peer reviewed journals, books and professional conferences. I have been an author to key professional clinical guidelines in relation to gender and sexualities and continue to serve on working parties and committees for new developments in the field. I was Head of Psychology/Lead Consultant Psychologist at Charing Cross Gender Identity Clinic for over 15 years, where I set up and developed the psychology service and training programme, as well as providing independent clinical care and training for over 25 years. I now work full time in the independent sector, but also provide consultation, supervision and training within the NHS. I work closely still with my NHS colleagues and am committed to delivering high quality care in the private sector. I am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Senior Associate of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the British Association of Gender Specialists (BAGIS), the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), the European Association of Transgender Health (EPATH) and GenderCare. I also collaborate with London Transgender Clinic. I am on the HM Government Gender Recognition Panel's list of specialists in the field of gender dysphoria.
I provide specialist psychological assessments and follow-up sessions including reviews for endorsement of hormone therapy, reviews for endorsement of all types of gender surgeries, psychotherapy, counselling and specialist reports for legal gender recognition applications. I also have a specialist interest in autism and am pleased to be offering diagnostic assessments using gold standard measures and increased provision of counselling for clients with autism from 2019. I have a strong commitment to continuous professional development and regularly attend and present at conferences and professional events in psychology, medicine and related disciplines, gender diversity and autism.
For clients wanting hormone therapy, I arrange, as appropriate, a complete gender specialist service assessment (psychological and medical), so this will mean a minimum of 2 appointments. Forms to arrange blood tests with GPs can be provided at the appointment as appropriate. If following medical assessment, there are no medical contraindications to hormone therapy being initiated, then this can be done through private prescription or GP prescription, depending on whether the patient's GP is amenable to prescribing at that stage. Some GPs are more comfortable continuing rather than initiating a prescription in relation to private treatment. For surgical referrals, a referral letter and a copy of the consultation report will be sent to the client's selected surgeon.
Alongside supporting the development of specialist knowledge and expertise in gender and sexuality, I also endeavour to raise knowledge, skills and awareness in relation to trans generally in delivery of services and my recent book 'Counselling Skills for Working with Gender Diversity and Identity' (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) was written with this in mind. I aim to deliver a professional, but also individually focused service with a view to clients feeling well supported, fully involved and informed, throughout all aspects of their care. As an adult specialist, I am afraid that I do not see clients under the age of 18, but appointments can be booked in advance for after your 18th birthday.
For further information please see www.drpennylenihan.com.