Transgender Youth Clinic

The primary function of the interdisciplinary SickKids Transgender Youth Clinic (TYC) is to provide information, options and care to pubertal youth experiencing gender dysphoria, which includes assessment and treatment planning. Our clinic takes an affirming approach to gender identity and care. Through ongoing assessment and discussions, we support the young person and family in deciding about options that can help the young person feel more comfortable in their body with the goal of decreasing feelings of gender dysphoria.

This clinic works collaboratively with our community partners to ensure the most comprehensive and supportive care to our transgender and gender questioning youth and their families. We request referrals from primary care providers for initial appointments and work with each patient’s care network to ensure patients are able to access any additional care they may need beyond the TYC with community-based providers, which may include mental health care.

The SickKids TYC was created in October of 2013 to provide medical care and support to transgender adolescents. We have an interprofessional team from the Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Endocrinology consisting of: 

• Staff Physicians
• Nurse Practitioner 
• Nurse 
• Social Worker 
• Clinic Coordinator 

The clinic offers valuable training to other medical and allied health-care professionals, role modeling compassionate care, advancing scientific and clinical knowledge and preparing the next generation of leaders in the care of transgender children and youth.

Referrals to the TYC should come from a primary health-care provider and be submitted online. 

Please note we accept patients who have reached puberty and we are unable to accept youth who are already 17. 

Your first visit will be a general adolescent medicine assessment. Members of the team will first meet with you and any parents/guardians at the appointment together, followed by an opportunity for the you and your parents/guardians to meet separately with members of our team. The purpose of the first visit is to get to know you, to learn your expectations and goals, and to develop an initial understanding of your well-being and gender identity.

A treatment plan may begin to be developed; however, medications are rarely prescribed at the initial visit. It takes time for us to get to know you and your family so we can decide together on future steps. Care of each person is individualized with topics discussed including options for hormone blocking when appropriate, with further medical options discussed on an ongoing basis. 

Information you may find helpful

Rainbow Health Ontario Care aims to help improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. 

Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is a community-based, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre that serves many of Toronto’s most vulnerable youth. Read their resource guide for parents of trans youth. 

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Guidelines for the Accommodation of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students and Staff 

PFLAG Canada is Canada's only national organization that helps all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. PFLAG Canada supports, educates and provides resources to all individuals with questions or concerns, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See website for local chapters. 

The Youth Line Ontario’s provincial LGBT peer support and info line 1–800–268–9688 

Trans Care BC