Dianne Ranae Berg (born 1964) is an American psychologist. Berg’s work has focused on transgender and gender diverse adults and youth. She also studies compulsive sexual behavior and nonconsensual sexual behaviors.
She is a member of the Child and Adolescent Committee of WPATH.
Background
Berg grew up in Moose Lake, Minnesota. Berg was a standout volleyball player at University of Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1985. Berg earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health.
She serves as an Assistant Professor at University of Minnesota. She and Katie Spencer are Co-Directors of the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, a division of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health. They developed the Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach (GALA).
2018 Atlantic article
Berg was quoted in a 2018 Atlantic article by Jesse Singal on the ex-transgender movement. Similar to the ex-gay movement, the people who promote the medicalized concepts of “desistance” and “detransition” believe that being trans is a disease that can resolve on it own or through medical intervention. Proponents of these loaded terms make several assumptions that are not value-neutral and therefore not scientific.
Singal later presents Berg and fellow clinicians Laura Edwards-Leeper and Erica Anderson as therapists who have “concerns” that more affirming care for minors may lead to negative transition outcomes:
Clinicians are still wrestling with how to define affirming care, and how to balance affirmation and caution when treating adolescents. “I don’t want to be a gatekeeper,” Dianne Berg, a co-director of the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, at the University of Minnesota, told me. “But I also worry that in opening the gates, we’re going to have more adolescents that don’t engage in the reflective work needed in order to make sound decisions, and there might end up being more people when they are older that are like, Oh, hmm—now I am not sure about this.”
[…]
“Under the motivation to be supportive and to be affirming and to be nonstigmatizing, I think the pendulum has swung so far that now we’re maybe not looking as critically at the issues as we should be,” the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health’s Dianne Berg told me.
References
Singal, Jesse (July 2018). When a child says she’s trans. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/07/when-a-child-says-shes-trans/561749/
Selected publications
Becker-Warner R, Candelario-Pérez L, Rider GN, Berg, D (2021). “Childhood gender nonconformity.” In H. L. Armstrong (Ed.), Encyclopedia of sex and sexuality: Understanding biology, psychology, and culture (pp. 110-112). ABC-CLIO, ISBN 978-1-61069-874-0
Spencer KG, Berg DR, Bradford NJ, Vencill J, Tellawi G, Rider GN (2021). The Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach: A developmental model for clinical work with transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults. Psychotherapy, 58(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000363
Munns R Dickenson J, Candelario-Perez L, Kovic A, Rider GN, Berg D, Coleman E, Girard A (2021). Psychotherapies in the treatment of CSBD. In R. Balon & P. Briken (Eds.), Compulsive sexual behavior disorder: Understanding, assessment, and treatment (pp. 109-128). American Psychiatric Association. ISBN 978-1615372195
McGuire J, Berg D, Catalpa J, Morrow QJ, Fish JN, Rider GN, Steensma T, Cohen-Kettenis PT, Spencer K (2020). Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale – Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS): Construct validity among transgender, nonbinary, and LGBQ samples. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(2), 194-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2020.1723460
Bradford NJ, Dewitt J, Decker J, Berg DR, Spencer KG, Ross MW (2019). Sex education and transgender youth: “Trust means material by and for queer and trans people.” Sex Education, 19(1), 84-98. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2018.1478808
Strang JF, Janssen A, Tishelman A, Leibowitz SF, Kenworthy L, McGuire JK, Edwards-Leeper L, Mazefsky CA, Rofey D, Bascom J, Caplan R, Gomez-Lobo V, Berg D, Zaks Z, Wallace GL, Wimms H, Pine-Twaddell E, Shumer D, Register-Brown K, Sadikova E, Anthony LG (2018). Letter to the Editor. Revisiting the link: Evidence of the rates of autism in studies of gender diverse individuals. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(11), 885-887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.04.023
Bradford NJ, Rider GN, Catalpa J, Morrow QJ, Berg DR, Spencer, KG, McGuire J (2019). Creating gender: A thematic analysis of genderqueer narratives. International Journal of Transgenderism, online ahead of print May 25, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2018.1474516
Catalpa JM, McGuire JK, Fish JN, Bradford NJ, Rider GN, Berg, DR (2019). Predictive validity of the genderqueer identity scale (GQI): Differences between genderqueer and transgender individuals. International Journal of Transgenderism. 10.1080/15532739.2018.1528196
Milhausen RR et al, Eds. (2019). Handbook of sexuality-related measures (4th ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1138740846
- McGuire JK, Berg D, Catalpa JM, Rider GN, Steensma TD (2020). “Genderqueer Identity Scale.” pp. 355-359.
- McGuire JK, Rider, GN, Catalpa JM, Steensma TD, Cohen-Kettenis PT, Berg D. “Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum.” pp. 359-362
- McGuire JK, Berg D, Catalpa JM. “Genderqueer identity scale.”
AK Tatum, J Catalpa, NJ Bradford, A Kovic, DR Berg Examining identity development and transition differences among binary transgender and genderqueer nonbinary (GQNB) individuals. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
D Berg, L Edwards-Leeper Child and family assessment. American Psychological Association
Resources
University of Minnesota School of Medicine (med.umn.edu)
LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
Healthgrades (healthgrades.com)
Vaginoplasty with Suporn Watanyusakul
Contact information:
Address: Dr. Suporn Clinic, 938 Sukhumvit Road, Bangplasoi, Muang District, Chonburi 20000 Thailand
Phone:
Fax:
Website: http://srs-thailand.com
Email: contact@srs-thailand.com
General pages:
LINK: Indigo Page on Suporn Watanyusakul
Related pages:
LINK: Dr. Suporn Club discussion forum
LINK: My breast and tracheal surgery with Dr. Suporn in Thailand by S.W. (2001)
LINK: FFS in Chonburi with Dr. Suporn by Janice-Jade (2002)
LINK: Natta Klomklao by Kim Lesturbin (2002)
Consumer experiences (most recent first)
LINK: Sex reassignment surgery by Katriina (2002) (note: graphic images at site)
LINK: My sex-reassignment surgery at Chonburi, Thailand by Kim Lesturbin (2001)
LINK: My Trip to Thailand for SRS by Ginny Bourne (2000)
LINK: Suzi’s Open Book by Suzi James (2001)
LINK: Terri’s S.R.S. by Terri Fowler (2001)
LINK: SRS in Chonburi with Dr Suporn by Grace Nodes (2001)
LINK: SRS in Chonburi with Dr Suporn by Joanne Leigh (2002) (note: graphic images)
LINK: My surgery by Leslie Chatterton (2002)
LINK: Journey To Match Self Identity With Mirror Image by Kaaseem Adalla Juanda (2002)
LINK: Sex reassignment surgery by Dr. Suporn by Katriina Tampere (2002)
LINK: Sonya’s SRS home page by Sonia Ann Jones (2002)
LINK: Metria’s story by Metria Jones (2002)
LINK: SRS & FFS with Dr. Suporn Watanyusakul by Carol Love (2001/2002)
LINK: Clinic photo tour by Jennifer Miller (2001/2002)
LINK: SRS pictures by Jennifer Miller (2001/2002) (note: graphic images)
LINK: From another side by Adele (2000/2001/2003)
James Bellringer is a British urologist and surgeon who has served our community since 2000.
Background
Bellringer qualified in 1982 from Cambridge and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. After training in Urology, he started as a General Urologist in West London in 1996.
Surgeon Michael Royle retired and chose Bellringer as his successor for the gender surgeries at Charing Cross Hospital, London. He resigned in 2014 to work privately at Parkside Hospital and the Bupa Cromwell Hospital.
Resources
GenderXchange (genderxchange.com)
- Former URLs
- genderxchange.co.uk
- bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
- bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/GRS.html
- http://www.bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/hair.htm
- bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Inversion.html
- bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Peno-scrotal%20flap.html
Parkside Hospital (parkside-hospital.co.uk)
Transsexual.org.uk (transsexual.org.uk)
Anne Lawrence (annelawrence.com)
- annelawrence.com/bellringer0104.html
- annelawrence.com/bellringer.html
- annelawrence.com/bellringernarrative.html
Wichai Surawongsin (วิชัย เจิมสุรวงศ์ aka Vichai Surawongsin) is a Thai plastic surgeon who has served our community.
Background
Dr. Wichai earned his medical degree at Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation in The Philippines in 1995. He earned his surgical diplomate at Mahidol University, Bangkok, which was renewed in 2003 via the Hospital Medical School at King Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Memberships include:
- Thai Medical Council
- Medical Association of Thailand
- Royal College of Family Physicians of Thailand
- Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand
- Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons of Thailand
Former contact information:
- Former address: Pattaya International Hospital Co., Ltd. Soi 4 Pattaya 2nd Rd, Pattaya City Chonburi 20260, Thailand
- Phone: 038-428374 Fax: 038-422773
- Website: pattaya-inter-hospital.co.th
- Email: picpih@ptty.loxinfo.co.th
Affiliated with Jirapong Poony.
Resources
Kamol Cosmetic Hospital (kamolhospital.com)
Vaginoplasty with Timothy Terry
Contact information:
Address: (via NHS) Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW
(private consult) The Leicester Nuffield Hospital, Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 1HY
Phone: NHS: (0116) 249 0490, Private: 0116 276 9401
Fax: NHS: (0116) 273 0639 Private: 0116 246 1076
Website: http://www.nuffieldhospitals.co.uk
Email: GRSTerry@aol.com
Mr. Terry also performs orchiectomy.
General pages:
• LINK: Irish patients offered sex change operations, by Carl O’Brien, Irish Examiner August 14, 2001
Related pages:
Consumer experiences (most recent first)
• LINK: Beth’s SRS Diary by Beth (2003)
• LINK: Discussing Corrective Surgery with Mr. Timothy Terry (2000)
Some information provided by Krystyna Haywood at transsexual.org.uk
Vaginoplasty with Witoon Wisuthseriwong
Contact information:
Address: Clinic Soi 1, 220/2-3 Sukhumwit, Soi 1 Bangkok, 10110 Thailand
Phone: (66) (2) 251-2066-7
Fax: (66) (2) 252-7975
Website: http://www.witoon.com/eindex.htm
Email: consult@witoon.com
General pages:
Combine your desired cosmetic surgery with an exotic holiday in Thailand. All under the care of a national board certified plastic surgeon,
Dr. Witoon Wisuthseriwong
Professional Registrations
* The International College of Surgeons (Plastic Surgery)
* The Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand (Plastic Surgery)
* The Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons of Thailand
* The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand
* The Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Surgery of Thailand
Yvon Ménard (born circa 1950) is a Canadian plastic surgeon who retired in 2009. His clinic was transferred to Pierre Brassard. Ménard had worked with Brassard at Clinique de chirurgie esthétique St-Joseph.
Ménard first attended a trans surgical procedure in 1971. He built a global reputation for high-quality care over the next 30+ years.
In 2001, Ménard served on the HBIGDA Standards of Care Committee for Version Six.
This is archival information for historical purposes.
Archival information
- Address: 1003, East St-Joseph Blvd Montreal (Quebec) Canada H2J 1L2
- Phone: 514 288-2097
- Fax: 514 288-3547
- Website: http://www.grsmontreal.com/
- Email: info@grsmontreal.com
References
Allison, Luna (December 3, 2009). Celebrated genital surgery doc retires. Xtra https://www.dailyxtra.com/celebrated-genital-surgery-doc-retires-35562
Resources
LINK: Indigo Pages on Yvon Menard http://myria.home.mindspring.com/Indigo/Surgeons/Menard/MenardM2F.html
LINK: Vaginoplasty Results: Yvon Menard by Anne Lawrence http://www.annelawrence.com/menard.html
Vulvas of Transsexual Women: Dr. Yvon Menard [Images] Images of post-op male-to-female transsexual vulvae, from patients of Yvon Menard. Images courtesy of Transsexual Women’s Resources page, run by Anne Lawrence. http://www.annelawrence.com/menard.html
Vulvas of Transsexual Women: Dr. Pierre Brassard [Images] Images of post-op male-to-female transsexual vulvae, from patients of Dr. Pierre Brassard. Images courtesy of Transsexual Women’s Resources page, run by Anne Lawrence. http://www.annelawrence.com/brassard.html
Drs. Yvon Menard and Pierre Brassard: GRS Information [Info] Pre-operative and procedure information from Drs. Mernard and Brassard. Courtesy of Transsexual Women’s Resources page, run by Anne Lawrence. http://www.annelawrence.com/menardinfo.html
Post-Operative Transsexual Survey Results [Info]
Michelle’s Post-op Survey results. http://www.tgguide.com/nook/post_op_survey.970302_1.html
SRS Experiences [Personal accounts, images]
Links to a number of personal accounts of SRS with Drs. Mernard and Brassard. http://www.users.uswest.net/~kelaine/about.html
Montreal GRS [Personal account, images]
Darlene’s account of her experience in Montreal. http://userdata.acd.net/dmayers/Montreal.htm
My Experience [Personal account]
Natasha’s account of her experience in Montreal. http://home.att.net/~tashy515/mine.html
My Sister’s Experiences [Personal account]
Kelly’s account of her experience in Montreal. http://home.att.net/~tashy515/sisters.html
Contact information:
Address: Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, Sussex, BN2 6DX, United Kingdom
Phone: 01273 627049 or hospital main line: 01273 624488
Fax: 01273 620101
Website:
Email:
Mr. Philip Thomas MBBS, FRCS is a consultant urologist and surgeon.
Affiliated with Michael Royle.
General pages:
LINK: Sussex Nuffield Hospital site
Related pages:
Consumer experiences (most recent first)
LINK: Op Diary by Lisa P (2001)
Bhumsak Saksri is a Thai plastic surgeon who serves our community.
Resources
Thailand Plastic Surgery (thailandplasticsurgery.com)
Former info:
- neopsc.com
- thaidoctoro.com
- vibha2-plasticsurgery.com
Address: Neo Plastic Surgery Center, 199/4 Sammakorn Housing Estate. Ramkhamhange Road, Bangkok 10240 THAILAND
Phone: +66 1 331-3000; +66 1 625-1572
General pages:
LINK: Indigo Pages on Bhumsak Saksri http://myria.home.mindspring.com/Indigo/Surgeons/Bhumsak/BhumsakM2F.html
LINK: Biography and resume of Bhumsak Saksri http://www.thailandplasticsurgery.com/en/m_dr.php
Related pages:
LINK: Commercial site quotes Consulting plastic surgeon Assistant Professor Sirachai Jindarak M.D. ( King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital ) http://neopsc.com/en/m_sex.php
LINK: Gluteal implants
Buttock and Hip Augmentation
Up to now SRS has significantly evolved during the last decade in technical refinement aspects. Formerly the mainstay of the neovaginal reconstructive procedure is trying by all means to create the deepest vaginal canal . Sensation and external appearance are less surgically oriented. Presently we do reconstruct clitoris and its apparatus from sensate penile glandular flap , the labia minora, the urethral opening etc. to silhouette the true female external genitalia. FFS ( facial feminizing surgery ) silmultaneously runs in the same track to reach the ultimate female face.
However buttock and hip enlargement are somewhat in the dilemma. Some gender dysphasia’s search for all kind of injections , fat graft of such a large volume cannot resist rapid resorption. Liquid injected silicone (LIS ) is FDA. prohibited in our country.
Ass far as I am concerned the ultimate solution of the buttock and hip enlargement is Gluteal implants insertion such as successfully done for the breasts.The current technic I use at Neo Plastic Surgery Center is placement of the silicone prosthesis in the deep pocket between Glutei Muscles . Thanks to the uncomplicated anatomy of this area ,no major blood vessles nor motor nerve except large sciatic nerve which is out of vicinity of the operative area , therefore this procedure yields extremely low complication rate . Submuscular prosthesis alleviates the capsular contracture and malposition of implants which are anticipated by formerly subcutaneous ones.Gluteal implant ( Silicone-gel filled smooth and textured surface)
The “GLUTEUS” implants are permanent prostheses available in two different shapes and in an extensive range of volume. These implants incorporate a low permeability barrier layer within the shell structure to suppress gel bleeding. The silicone-gel is cohesive enough so that its feel like real muscle tissue and does not migrate in the case of an implant’s rupture. The scar is unsightly in the midline gluteus crease. We can assure you the naturally soft consistency. The only drawback is that your buttock must stay clear for intramuscular injection.
Vaginoplasty with Soon-Chul Myung
Contact information:
Address: 3rd Floor, 1-3 Rex Tower Bldg., Nonhyun-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: (822) 547-8338
Fax: (822) 547-8339
Website: http://www.urotop.co.kr/en/specialty_n.htm
Email: master@urotop.co.kr
General pages:
LINK: http://www.urotop.co.kr/en/w_con4_1.htm
http://www.urotop.co.kr/en/specialists_n.htm (text retrieved August 2003)
Graduated from Chungang University’s College of Medicine
Accredited as an Urology Specialist from Urology Department at Chungang University
Earned Ph.D. from Urology Department of Chungang University’s College of Medicine
Served as a professor of Urology Department at Chungang University’s Affiliated Hospital
Currently serving as a foreign professor of Chungang University’s College of Medicine
Korean Association of Urology, Member
Korean Andrology Society, Member
Urinary Incontinence/Prostate/Menopause Association, Member
Appearances in TV shows: KBS’s ‘Ask Anything’, KBS News and other networks such as Dasom, SDN, ICN, etc.
Author of “Happy Woman, Sad Woman”, published in 2001
Dr. Myung’s E-mail : doctor_myung@urotop.co.kr
Related pages:
LINK: Commercial site: Male to Female alteration (text below retrieved August 2003)
Male to Female Alteration
Surgical Procedures
Vaginoplasty
The following methods are used to create a neo-vagina; skin grafting method, vaginoplasty using sigmoid colon cut method, penile flap and penile scrotal flap method. Typically, the Penile or Penile Scrotal Inversion technique (by tucking in penile skin into perineum) and Sigmoid Colon Cut Surgery (by lower abdomen incision using its full-thickness grafts) are widely practiced.
(1) Sigmoid Colon Cut Method
Advantages
a. Natural-looking end result of neo-vagina
b. No neo-vaginal contractures
c. The fluid secreted from intestine will act as a natural lubricant during sexual intercourse.
d. Desirable from the functional aspect of neo-vagina.
Disadvantages
a. Prolonged recovery period due to an extensive surgery through abdominal cavity.
b. May develop complications such as peritonitis, intestinal adhesions and necrosis of intestinal graft.
(2) Penile Inversion Method
Advantages
a. Its simple surgical procedure can greatly reduce possible complications and related side effects.
b. No risk of causing peritonitis or intestinal adhesions associated with colostomy.
c. Rapid recovery-Four to six days of hospitalization.
Disadvantages
a. Requires continuous neo-vaginal dialation.
b. Possible neo-vaginal contractures after surgery.
c. Requires artificial lubricant.
2. Neutralization of Adam’s Apple
Although varied from individuals, Adam’s Apple (uvula) is one of the most prominent features of the male anatomy. Adam’s Apple can be eliminated by making small surgical incisions along the skin fold under local anesthesia-leaving almost no scars. If desired, additional work such as neo-vaginoplasty or breast augmentation can be done at the same time. The surgery will take about 30 minutes to one hour and yields no side effects.
3. Voice Surgery
This surgery will readjust the pitch of the patient’s voice. As part of its physical characteristic, vocal cord can be altered using laser and electricity, but it is hard to predict the final outcome and often requires re-operation. However, through the recent indirect treatment using cartilage plate pull method, the patient’s vocal cord can be safely altered from male bandwidth (100-150Hz) to female bandwidth (200-300Hz).
The surgery is conducted by making small incisions on the neck under local anesthesia and will take one hour. It is necessary to allow ample time to rest the voice, and the final result will show in 6 to 12 months. The surgery is recommended before the SRS.
4. Breast Augmentation Surgery
It is a widely practiced surgery to enhance and heighten the patient’s sense of femininity. Can be conducted in conjunction with other operations such as vaginoplasty.