Gender Affirming Practitioners

Deb Anthony brings a warm and down-to-earth approach to therapy, backed by over 20 years of experience supporting people with their mental health and well-being. Deb specialises in gender and sexual identity, men's health, relationships, parenting, and is passionate about creating a safe and affirming space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Whether you're exploring your identity, navigating life's challenges, or simply seeking support, Deb offers practical, personalised guidance both in person and online. Located in Watsonia, Deb offers a down-to-earth, no-bullsh*t therapy style.

Dr. Tanja Takala is a Clinical Psychologist with over thirteen years of experience, specialising in gender and neurodivergent affirming care. She has worked in diverse settings, including private practice, public hospitals, and specialist gender diversity services.

She has significant experience supporting trans, gender-divergent, and non-binary individuals with social and medical gender affirmation. Dr. Takala is also skilled in treating depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, interpersonal relationship issues, grief, and neurodivergent identities, providing collaborative and empowering care to improve her clients' quality of life.

Jazs Van Gils (he/him) is a trans man and psychotherapist with lived experience of ADHD. Focusing on supporting gender diverse and neurodivergent clients through Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).

Jazs is dedicated to creating a relaxed and affirming space where gender can be celebrated and explored. He tailors care to each client's specific needs and goals, offering both face-to-face sessions in Brunswick and telehealth services. No referral is needed to start sessions with Jazs, making it easy for individuals to reach out and receive the support they need.

Ben Callegari is a Clinical Psychologist with a wealth of experience and specialised training. With over a decade in the field, Ben has honed his skills working with clients presenting complex psychological conditions, including trauma, personality disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders.

He is dedicated to working with the LGBTQIA+ community, bringing a level of understanding that many clients value. Since moving to Melbourne in 2009, Ben has continued his commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, building on his active involvement in Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community prior to his relocation.

Dr. Peggy Wong is a passionate General Practitioner who has made a big impact on LGBTQIA+ health care.

Peggy focuses on providing inclusive care for gender-diverse patients. She co-authored important guidelines for GPs and actively advocates for better LGBTQIA+ health care at the public health level. Peggy is dedicated to offering compassionate, high-quality care and is continually inspired by her patients' stories of bravery and resilience.

Dr. Owen Harris is a General Practitioner who trained at The University of Melbourne and the Austin Hospital.

Dr. Owen has specific interests in child and adolescent health, sexual health, treatments for alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and skin cancer treatment. He is also an expert in gender-affirming care and LGBTIQ+ health, reflecting his commitment to providing inclusive and comprehensive care for all patients.

Dr. Adam Brownhill is the Medical Director and founder of TG Health Clinic, bringing over 20 years of primary care experience to his role. Dr. Brownhill is highly experienced in gender-affirming care and prescribes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), tailoring each plan to the desires and preferences of the patient while ensuring safety and using an evidence-based approach. His commitment to delivering inclusive and specialized health services underscores his dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Dr. Ingrid Bretherton is a Consultant Endocrinologist with a strong commitment to transgender health and gender affirmation. Dr. Bretherton is also a researcher at the University of Melbourne, studying the effects of hormone therapy on bone health in trans and gender-diverse adults. Known for her warm, collaborative approach, she provides high-quality, inclusive care to all patients.

Dr. Andrew Ives is one of the country's top surgeons specializing in gender-related procedures, including top surgery and genital reconstruction. With over twenty years of experience, he is passionate about the transformative impact of plastic surgery. He is located in Melbourne, focusing on gender reassignment surgery. Dr. Ives expertly creates trans masculine and trans feminine chests, providing comprehensive and compassionate care to ensure the best outcomes for his patients.

A/Prof Cheng Hean Lo is a fully qualified specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon renowned for his expertise in gender-affirming surgeries.

He offers a comprehensive range of services, including MtF and FtM chest reconstructive surgery (including top surgery) and MtF genital reconstructive surgery. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Western Health.

The Gender Voice Centre, established in 2020, offers an inclusive approach to gender-affirming voice therapy, allowing clients to achieve a voice they are happy and confident with from the comfort of their home through online sessions. With a team of dedicated speech pathologists specialising in supporting individuals transitioning into their authentic selves.

Committed to ongoing professional development, the Gender Voice Centre ensures the use of up-to-date, evidence-based methods while maintaining strong connections within the community. Their goal is to help each person find their true voice, enhancing their confidence and overall well-being.

Rainbow Door is a no-cost, specialised helpline dedicated to supporting the LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) community in Victoria. The service offers information, assistance, and referrals to LGBTIQA+ individuals, as well as their friends and families.

Rainbow Door provides support to people of all ages and identities dealing with a variety of issues, including but not limited to suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), substance abuse, relationship challenges, sexual assault, social isolation, and mental health concerns, with a focus on promoting overall wellbeing.