Clinically Proven Care, Trusted by Thousands
What Sets Our Care for Gender Dysphoria Apart
Personalised Gender-Affirming Care
Your treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs, whether you need therapy, medical support, or both. We respect your identity and help you navigate your journey in a way that feels right for you.
Collaboration with Medical Experts
Our mental health professionals work closely with primary care doctors, and other specialists to ensure your psychological and medical needs are addressed together.
Proactive Mental Health Monitoring
We track your mental well-being continuously, ensuring you receive ongoing support to manage gender dysphoria, anxiety, or depression as your journey evolves.
Support for Family and Friends
If you choose, we can help educate and involve your loved ones, creating a stronger support system as you navigate your gender journey.
Our Team of Experts for Comprehensive Gender Dysphoria Care
Dr. Akul Gupta
Consultant Psychiatrist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
Dr. Siddharth Sethi
Consultant Psychiatrist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages English, Hindi, Marathi
Ms. Lovleena Sharma
Clinical Psychologist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
Ms. Ayushi Paul
Clinical Psychologist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English, Bengali
Ms. Sulagna Mondal
Clinical Psychologist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English, Bengali
Dr. Sunil Mittal
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
Ms. Mitali Srivastava
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
Compassionate Mental Health Care for Gender Dysphoria
At BetterPlace, our experts have helped over 50,000 people navigate Gender Dysphoria and other mental health challenges including:
- Agoraphobia
- Alcohol use disorder
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Anorexia
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Anxiety disorders
- Arachnophobia
- ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Binge Eating
- Bipolar disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Bulimia nervosa
- Claustrophobia
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Gambling disorder
- Gender dysphoria
- Hoarding disorder
- Insomnia
- Mood disorders
- OCD
- Panic disorder
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- PTSD
- Postpartum depression
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Sleep disorders
What to Expect When You Visit BetterPlace for Gender Dysphoria Care
When visiting BetterPlace, you can expect a welcoming environment where there is 0% judgment.
Detailed initial session (90 min)
Meet with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist
Comprehensive testing
Get an accurate understanding of your mental health
Treatment phase (3-8 weeks)
Get a personalised treatment plan
Long-term support
Get ongoing care with regular follow-ups
Transformation Stories at BetterPlace!
Growing up in a conservative south delhi household, I could never open up to my parents about just feeling … different, you know? Telling them I might be a boy on the outside but inside I feel differently. After coming to BetterPlace, I not only found the courage to open up to my parents but our bond has also gotten stronger. We are on the same team now, and all credit goes to Dr Akul.
I always knew my daughter was not like the other girls. She was inherently always interested in boyish activities. And I could tell it was not a phase. I never want to put her in a box. BetterPlace helped her feel more comfortable in her skin and accept her true self. I am thankful she’s in a much better place.
Looking at other men grow up, I could never relate to them. I always liked the “girlish” things in life. I felt trapped in my own body, like I knew I was meant to be a girl. After a successful sex change operation, I started having feelings of doubt and question. I thought i have made a mistake, but the psychologists at betterplace helped me feel more comfortable and find my true self
Get Compassionate Gender Dysphoria Support Today!
Visit us or book an online consultation
BetterPlace, East of Kailash
At National Heart InstituteFirst Floor, Annexe Building D Block, East of Kailash, New Delhi
BetterPlace, Gurugram
At Neelkanth HospitalGround floor, 1 Main Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road
DLF Phase 3, Gurugram
BetterPlace: Gender Dysphoria
Introduction to Gender Dysphoria
Gender Dysphoria is NOT a mental illness, it is a term that describes an uneasy feeling that a person has when their biological sex assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity. To understand Gender Dysphoria, it’s important to know what ‘gender’ and ‘gender identity’ means. If this distress is affecting your daily life, a psychiatrist in Delhi can help you understand what kind of support may be useful. In many cases, early gender dysphoria treatment can help reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning.
Defining Gender Identity
Gender is a spectrum and everyone possesses a blend of traits that are generally deemed as ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’. No one is purely one, they include a combination or a mix of different qualities that lie somewhere on the spectrum.
Gender identity is your internal sense of gender, which can be man, woman, neither, or somewhere in between. Some examples include:
Cisgender: Someone whose internal gender aligns with their biological sex
Transgender: Someone whose gender identity differs from their biological sex
Agender: Someone who doesn’t identify as any gender
Gender-fluid: Someone whose gender changes over time
What Is Gender Dysphoria?
Most people identify as ‘Male’ or ‘Female’ but some people feel their gender is different from their biological sex assigned at birth. When this feeling becomes a cause of distress for a person, it is called ‘Gender Dysphoria’. In older clinical language, you may also come across the term Gender Identity Disorder, although today Gender Dysphoria is the more appropriate and widely used term.
Causes of Gender Dysphoria
The causes of Gender Dysphoria are unknown, however, research indicates that there may be some correlation between Gender Dysphoria and exposure to certain chemicals during the prenatal stage. Studies have also found an increased prevalence of Gender Dysphoria among twins, which may indicate a genetic link.
Because this can also affect emotional well-being, a psychologist in Delhi may help you work through the distress, confusion, or social pressure that can arise around identity. For many people, the treatment of gender dysphoria focuses less on changing identity and more on reducing distress and improving emotional well-being.
Signs and Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria
Emotional Indicators
- Persistent distress because of the biologically assigned gender
- Anxiety and Depression due to societal rejection
- Low self-esteem
- Not feeling confident or proud of one’s body
- Happiness when recognised as one’s preferred gender
Behavioural Indicators
- Avoiding activities, tasks or roles that are typically gender specific
- Dressing and grooming in ways that align with one’s gender identity
- Social withdrawal
- Avoiding intimacy
- Self-harm
Physical Indicators
- Strong desire to change body characteristics. E.g sex change
- Discomfort with one’s body, especially during puberty
- Problems sleeping
- Appetite changes
- Self-harm injuries
Diagnosis and Treatment
At BetterPlace, we are dedicated to guiding and supporting you on your journey with Gender Dysphoria. We use advanced diagnostic tools and resources such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) and the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition) to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis. Our skilled psychiatrists and psychologists work closely to identify your specific needs and deliver the exact care that you need.
If you are looking for a gender dysphoria doctor, the first step usually involves a careful assessment of your distress, goals, and the kind of support that feels right for you. You can find psychiatrists in South Delhi if South Delhi is more convenient location for you.
Treatment and Management
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is vital in treating Gender Dysphoria. It helps you accept your true self, teaches important coping strategies to manage societal pressures, equips you with ways to address emotional distress due to Anxiety or depression, and helps in building emotional resilience. When therapy-led support is central to care, psychology is often one of the most relevant services to begin with. For many people, psychotherapy is an important part of gender dysphoria treatment and can be one of the best treatment for gender dysphoria options when emotional support is the main need.
Medical Interventions
Popular medical interventions include hormone therapy. It alters your sex characteristics to align with your gender identity. E.g. Testosterone or estrogen pills. In some cases, a gender dysphoria doctor may discuss whether medical interventions are appropriate for your goals and stage of care.
Social Transitioning
Social transitioning can reduce symptoms of Gender Dysphoria greatly as it helps destigmatise your desired gender identity. You learn to accept yourself for who you are and feel validated when others acknowledge your gender identity. If you want regular therapy support closer to your area, a psychologist in South Delhi may also help you navigate this process with more confidence. For many individuals, social transitioning becomes a meaningful part of the treatment of gender dysphoria.
Challenges and Considerations
Mental Health Implications
People suffering from untreated Gender Dysphoria are more susceptible to Anxiety, Depression, and suicidal ideation. This is due to the distress caused by a mismatch in their biological sex and gender identity.
The feeling of persistently being misunderstood, invalidated, or unaccepted can make them feel isolated or alienated and further exacerbate their mental health struggles. Timely gender dysphoria treatment can help reduce this distress and improve resilience.
Social Acceptance and Support
In such situations, counselling psychologists in Delhi can help you and your loved ones build understanding, emotional support, and healthier communication.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Since Gender Dysphoria as a concept is only now being acknowledged and accepted in society, there aren’t many laws surrounding it. Because of this, it may be difficult to access certain public resources, areas or places that might be gendered. E.g. gendered washrooms.
Participation in activities that are gendered, such as gendered sports, may involve additional challenges.
Cost of Gender Dysmorphia treatment at BetterPlace
The cost of treatment depends on your personalised care plan, which may include therapy sessions, medication, or other interventions. At BetterPlace, we provide competitive consultation charges, priced at INR 2,000. Your initial 90-minute appointment involves a comprehensive session with our mental health experts, focusing on understanding your experiences, goals, and needs. From there, we design a tailored treatment plan that fits your unique journey, ensuring affordability through flexible payment options and insurance support.
If you are exploring the best treatment for gender dysphoria, the right starting point is usually a personalised assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
FAQs About Gender Dysphoria
Gender Dysphoria refers to the distress experienced due to a mismatch between assigned gender and gender identity while being transgender pertains to the identification with a gender different from the one assigned at birth.
Gender Dysphoria can start at any age. It usually begins in childhood, however, when left untreated, it exhibits symptoms during adulthood.
Not everyone needs medical interventions. Treatment plans are personalised based on your needs and goals. In many cases, gender dysphoria treatment may focus on therapy, support, and social transition rather than medication or hormones.
Family and friends can show acceptance by educating themselves on Gender Dysphoria to understand what their loved one is experiencing. They can respect the chosen pronouns of their loved one, listen without judgement, advocate for them and encourage professional help.
Hormone therapy is an effective treatment, however, it has potential risks and side effects such as fatigue, nausea, weight gain, bone thinning, etc. Medical supervision is essential.
