In this episode, Janet Morrison speaks with Cathy Maser (she/her) about gender dysphoria and ways to support trans children and youth. 

For the past 18 years, Cathy’s clinical practice has been focused on youth with chronic illness, substance misuse, sexual health, gender identity and mood disorders. Through her practice, she has provided gender-affirming care to youth and was also a lecturer at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto for 12 years.

She recently retired after 35 years at Sick Kids Hospital and continues to work with community partners to educate schools, parents, and service providers on adolescent development, mental health, substance use and gender-diverse identities.

Janet and Cathy discuss some of the common myths associated with gender-affirming care, the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for exploring gender identity and the role of puberty blockers as a reversible intervention.

If you would like to know more about the work Cathy does, please visit these websites:  

Affirming Adults Guide | We Are Allies 
For more information on the work we do at CATCH, please visit our website.