CAPS has moved to the new Student Health and Counseling Center!
Please check in at the second floor reception desk for all CAPS appointments and questions. 

 
 Call the CAPS front desk at 951-827-5531, option 2 for your in-person and virtual scheduling needs.

Counseling & Psychological Services

(951) UCR-Talk

(gender-health) banner

Gender Health Support

Our Mission

Our mission at UCR Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is to provide quality care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) students. We recognize that every person has different needs, and we will work with you to assess, identify, and provide the proper care for your journey.

Statement of Commitment

The physicians, clinicians and staff of UCR’s Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) teams would like to reassure our students that WE ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE committed to providing and promoting compassionate, inclusive and equitable care throughout our Health and Counseling departments. We hold to these core values and practices, despite the ever-changing winds of public discourse. Our commitment to lesbian, gay, trans, and gender-diverse patients/clients is unwavering.

UCR SHS and CAPS also affirm the statement made by the American Academy of Pediatrics. ALL patients/clients “must be able to discuss gender-affirming care with their trusted physician to determine together what care is best for them” and deserve access to high-quality, evidence-based health care. We want you to know that we remain committed to serving our students, and to advocating for access to compassionate and high-quality care.  

Our Commitment includes:

  • Student Health Care Resources

    Student Health Care Resources: SHS provides a range of health care and services to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, including primary care, women’s health, gender health, dental care, vision care, travel clinic, pharmacy, lab services, and a 24/7 NurseLine. You can contact SHS to make an appointment by calling (951) 827-3031 or by making an appointment online via the patient portal. 

  • Student Mental Health Resources

    Student Mental Health Resources: CAPS offers a variety of mental health services for registered UCR students including individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy (if both partners are registered UCR students), referrals, consultations, urgent support services, and access to speak to a crisis clinician 24/7 by calling (951) 827-5531, Option 1. Call the CAPS front desk at (951) 827-5531, Option 2 to make an appointment and for all routine matters.

  • Multidisciplinary Approach

    Multidisciplinary Approach: Our teams at SHS and CAPS work together to provide comprehensive and compassionate care in a safe and welcoming environment for all our TGD students. 

TGD Resources

FAQs for Gender-Affirming Surgery

Guidelines  

CAPS Guidelines for Quality Care of Transgender/Gender Diverse (TGD) Clients

SHS Guidelines for Quality Care of Transgender/Gender Diverse (TGD) Patients 

FAQs for Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Students

FAQs for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

  • What are the goals of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)*?

    What are the goals of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)*?
    The goals of HRT are to:

    • Reduce the level of endogenous sex hormones, and
    • Replace sex hormones consistent with the individual’s gender identity.

    *For more information view Dr. Hoda Amiri, Endocrinologist at UC Health: What's Up Doc? What is Transgender Hormone Therapy?

  • What are the criteria to start HRT*?

    What are the criteria to start HRT*?

    • Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria/gender incongruence. This diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional (e.g., therapist, psychiatrist) or a medical provider (e.g., primary care or endocrinologists, if they feel comfortable doing so)
    • The capacity to make fully informed decisions and to consent for treatment.
    • The age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the criteria for adolescents).
    • Mental health concerns, if present, must be reasonably well controlled.

    *For more information view Dr. Hoda Amiri, Endocrinologist at UC Health: What's Up Doc? What is Transgender Hormone Therapy?

  • Is HRT covered by my UC SHIP insurance plan?

    Is HRT covered by my UC SHIP insurance plan?

  • Do I need a letter from a mental health provider before I start HRT?

    Do I need a letter from a mental health provider before I start HRT?

    ·       Most medical providers do require documentation prior to beginning HRT.

    ·       According to UC Health Endocrinologist, Dr. Hoda Amiri*, the criteria for beginning HRT includes: 

    1. Well-documented gender dysphoria/gender incongruence. This diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional (e.g., therapist, psychiatrist) or a medical provider (e.g., primary care or endocrinologists, if they feel comfortable doing so).
    2. The capacity to make fully informed decisions and to consent for treatment.
    3. The age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the criteria for adolescents).

    4. Mental health concerns, if present, must be reasonably well controlled.

    *For more information view Dr. Hoda Amiri, Endocrinologist at UC Health: What's Up Doc? What is Transgender Hormone Therapy?

  • What is the process of seeking HRT at UCR?

    What is the process of seeking HRT at UCR?

    • UCR Student Health Services (SHS) has primary care providers (PCP) who can prescribe Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on campus. Call SHS to make an appointment at (951) 827-3031 or make an appointment online via the patient portal.
    • Depending on a student's current health, medical history, and medical needs, UCR SHS may need to refer students out to in-network endocrinologists in the Anthem network under UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) for transgender HRT and other gender affirming care.  
      • You can make an appointment with your SHS PCP by calling 951-827-3031 or make an appointment online via the patient portal to see whether they can prescribe HRT for you, or provide you with a referral.
    • For students who do not have or want to use the UC SHIP insurance plan:
  • How do I get support from CAPS if I am interested in HRT?

    How do I get support from CAPS if I am interested in HRT?

    • CAPS welcomes students requesting a letter for accessing trans care such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and gender affirming surgeries, as required by medical insurance for medical approval. Check out our Staff bios to learn more about our providers: https://counseling.ucr.edu/our-staff.
    • To schedule a consultation, make an appointment, or leave a message, call the CAPS front desk at (951) 827-5531, option 2. 
  • Which CAPS clinicians should I go to for assistance with gender affirming care?

    Which CAPS clinicians should I go to for assistance with gender affirming care?

    • UCR's Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) has multiple counselors who have experience working with gender identity questions and with transgender/gender diverse (TGD) students. To make an appointment, come into our office during business hours or call the CAPS front desk at (951) 827-5531, option 2.