A BORDER psychologist has counselled 12 transgender clients in the past two years, with the youngest a girl, 14.
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Brian Hickman has assisted sexual support group Hume Phoenix as well as Wodonga transgender auto electrician Jasmine Lockley who told her story to The Border Mail on Saturday.
"Her work is so blokey, she has done amazingly well to survive in that environment," Dr Hickman said of Ms Lockley, who he described as "heroic" for going public.
The foundation president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Society of Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists described himself as the "conduit" for those being assessed before sexual reassignment surgery.
Dr Hickman said a boy client, 16, went to a school dance dressed as a female.
He said despite the teenager's fears of being abused and yelled at, the dance proceeded "without problems".
Dr Hickman said most transgender clients had long wrestled with their identity before seeing him, with the majority switching from female to male.
"They've usually gone through years and years of thinking about it, so by the time they get to me they are very definite and in a sense have wasted a lot of time really," Dr Hickman said.
"I can allay a lot of their fears and the internet is great, there is a lot of information and you can hook up with good people in America, where it is much more common."
Dr Hickman, who was encouraged to speak to The Border Mail by Ms Lockley, said he had first seen her more than a year ago and had assisted her along with a GP and endocrinologist.
Ms Lockley said she was pleased with the response to her public acknowledgement, noting positive social media comments.
"They're telling me how courageous I am and how wonderful I am, it's good," Ms Lockley said.
She said in working on Saturday with truck drivers it was clear they had a greater appreciation for her situation after having read her story.
Among those who commented on The Border Mail's website was Kylie, a woman who had sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) in July.
"Join the crowd," Kylie wrote.
"I only advised people four years ago I wanted to be female.
"I only had SRS in July 2015 (and am) very happy now.
"You must be true to yourself darling.
"Mind you SRS is not easy.
"You need to see (medicos) and live as a woman two years prior to surgery.
"You have to convince them you need to have SRS."