Natalia Zhikhareva

Licensed Gender Therapist for Trans Adults

Reduce dysphoria, gain confidence, and navigate your transition with expert guidance from Dr. Z PHD

Ready to Find Clarity About Your Gender Identity?

If you're experiencing dysphoria, questioning your identity, or feeling stuck about transition, you're in the right place. Dr. Z PHD specializes in helping trans adults navigate these exact challenges with expert guidance and compassionate support.

Natalia Zhikhareva

Your Gender Identity Specialist

Hi, I'm Dr. Z PHD, a licensed gender therapist with 20 years of specialized experience helping transgender adults navigate dysphoria and identity questions. Unlike general therapists, I understand the subtle complexities of gender experience and provide targeted treatment that gets results faster.

My approach is different: I examine your unique history, circumstances, and goals to create a personalized treatment plan—whether you're exploring identity, planning transition steps, or finding ways to manage dysphoria that work for your life.

What you can expect: Clear answers to your gender questions, reduced dysphoria symptoms, and practical guidance for your next steps. I help you move from confusion to confidence with evidence-based therapy designed specifically for transgender adults.

I serve trans adults in California, Texas, New York, and Florida through secure telehealth sessions. For all other US states and international clients, I offer specialized gender consulting services to provide expert guidance on your gender journey."

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My Specialties

  • Gender dysphoria requires specialized expertise beyond general psychological approaches, as it involves a complex interplay between identity, body image, social dynamics, and personal history.

    As a specialist with two decades focused exclusively on gender dysphoria in adults, I recognize subtle patterns and manifestations that generalists often miss. My specialized lens helps clients efficiently untangle complex feelings, identify authentic paths forward, and make confident decisions about their gender journey based on their unique circumstances.

  • Gender identity exploration encompasses understanding one's authentic sense of self, distinct from but sometimes related to gender dysphoria's discomfort.

    My specialized focus helps clients separate identity questions from dysphoria experiences, providing clarity where these complex elements overlap or diverge. I guide individuals to recognize their genuine gender identity regardless of whether transition steps are needed, wanted, or align with their unique life circumstances.

  • Transgender couples therapy addresses the unique dynamics when one or both partners navigate gender transition within a relationship.

    I provide specialized support for managing identity shifts, intimacy changes, and communication challenges specific to transgender partnerships. My approach honors both individual authenticity and relationship health during these profound personal and interpersonal transformations.

  • Transgender impostor syndrome affects many trans individuals who question whether they're "trans enough" or deserve to claim their authentic gender identity. This complex psychological experience involves persistent doubts about your transgender identity, fear of being exposed as "fake," and constant comparison to other trans people's experiences.

    As a specialized gender therapist with expertise in transgender impostor syndrome, I help trans adults overcome these debilitating doubts and embrace their authentic selves with confidence. Unlike general therapists, I understand the unique manifestations of gender identity impostor syndrome and provide targeted treatment that addresses the root causes.

  • Crossdressing and transgender identity represent distinct experiences that require specialized understanding to differentiate and address appropriately.

    My expertise helps clients explore where their personal experience falls on this spectrum and what it means for their authentic identity. I provide clarity about these commonly confused but fundamentally different expressions of gender, helping individuals understand their unique experience without applying incorrect assumptions or labels.

Start Your Gender Journey with Expert Support

Get comprehensive gender therapy designed specifically for transgender and nonbinary adults. My specialized approach combines clinical expertise with personalized care to help you navigate identity questions, manage dysphoria, and make confident decisions about your future.

Professional Gender Therapy Services:

  • Comprehensive Gender Dysphoria Assessment - thorough evaluation and diagnosis

  • Individual Gender Identity Therapy - one-on-one sessions for clarity and support

  • Personalized Transition Planning - customized roadmap for your unique journey

  • Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches - proven methods for lasting results

  • Dysphoria Management Strategies - practical tools for daily life challenges

  • Family and Relationship Support - guidance for important conversations

What sets my practice apart: Unlike general therapists, I specialize exclusively in gender identity issues. My focused expertise means faster results, deeper understanding, and treatment plans tailored specifically to transgender and nonbinary experiences.

Gender Services Offered

Professional gender identity therapy, dysphoria treatment, and transition guidance for transgender adults nationwide.

  • Individuals

    Gender Therapy

    I provide specialized individual gender therapy and identity exploration sessions for transgender and nonbinary adults experiencing dysphoria or questioning their gender identity.

  • Couples

    Couples Gender Therapy

    I offer specialized couples therapy during gender transition and individual counseling for partners supporting their transgender loved ones through transition.

  • Circle of Trans Womanhood

    Circle of Trans Womanhood

    The Circle of Trans Womanhood is a supportive membership program helping transgender women overcome dysphoria, build confidence, and navigate their transition journey with expert guidance and peer support.

  • DIY Gender Transition

    DIY Gender Transition

    A structured 13-week transgender transition program offering trans women expert guidance on medical options, social changes, and emotional preparation for transition.

  • Online Workshops

    Online Workshops

    Overcome gender-related shame and impostor syndrome with Dr. Z PhD's expert workshops, empowering trans adults to live authentically with confidence and self-acceptance.

  • Dr. Z Amazon Bestseller!

    Dr. Z Amazon Bestseller!

    Essential reading for transgender adults to overcome gender dysphoria, break through mental blocks, and build confidence in their authentic identity!

My Approach

Transition is more than medical procedures—it's a journey of authentic self-discovery and personal growth. You're not just changing your body; you're creating an integrated life that reflects your true identity.

Your gender journey is unique, and every step—from hormone therapy to social transition—contributes to your authentic self-expression. I help you navigate this process with confidence, treating each milestone as part of your personal transformation story.

  • “I will never be able to repay you fully for the help you provided, and more than anything, you set me free from the burdens of the world.”

    Client Review

  • “I am embarrassed to admit I learned more in a shorter period of time with Dr. Z than in my 3 years of therapy.”

    Client Review

  • “Dr. Z is a kind and caring listener which helped untangle the feelings in my head that I could never fully understand and also helped push me outside my comfort zone so I could grow as a woman. I was able to make great improvements with my physical appearance but as or more importantly I was able to build my confidence so I could live and thrive in the world.

    Client Review

Join My Trans Femme Circle

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My Musings

Check out my videos for my latest musings on all things mental-health, psychology, and inner wellbeing. Here you will also find tips and tricks for overcoming challenges and building a meaningful life in the modern world.