CONFIDENTIALITY: I know that confidentiality is very important. As a licensed practitioner, I am subject to licensing review should I disclose even the slightest amount of information regarding anybody I am seeing professionally without the individual's written permission. Be assured, all information you forward to me will be held in strictest confidence.

OBJECTIVES: I also want to reassure all interested parties that I have no agenda for any of my clients other then to search for a resolution to their gender issues and to improve the quality of their life. It is my intent to intercede at the least disruptive level possible given the circumstance. History has shown that the range of intervention runs from achieving a guilt free understanding of their gender issue to, in extreme cases, complete gender role transition.

STANDARDS OF CARE: I am a long time member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) formerly the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA) and follow the WPATH Standards of Care (SOC). If you are unfamiliar with the SOC, I suggest that you read them prior to making an appointment with me. A copy of Version 7 of the SOC is available for immediate download at http://www.avitale.com/SOCv7.pdf

TREATMENT PLAN: Although I appreciate that each individual has special concerns and requires special attention, there is a general pattern I follow in treating gender identity issues. A copy of my Treatment Plan based on the WPATH Standards of Care is available at http://www.avitale.com/TreatmentPlan.htm

OFFICE LOCATION: My office is located at 610/612 D Street in San Rafael, California. San Rafael is located in Marin County, 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. My regular office hours are on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from Noon to 8:00 pm. My morning hours are reserved for Skype and/or double appointments to accommodate individuals who must travel from out of the Bay Area. If you will be traveling from a distance, please let me know in your inquiry and I will do what I can to accommodate you.

SKYPE I am open to working with individuals living out of the Bay Area via SKYPE. So no matter where in the world you are living we can probably work out either a one time consultation hour or regular treatment schedule should you choose to continue working with me. Payment is in US dollars in advance via Paypal.

My rate: I am a registered Medicare Provider. Please let me know if you are eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Medicare patients are responsible for a small co-pay.

For those not eligible for Medicare, my hourly rate is $150 per fifty minute session. I accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discovery. Clients are responsible for payment at time of appointment. I will, of course, be glad to provide a receipt or fill out any insurance forms you may have for reimbursement.

For further information or to make an appointment: you may e-mail me at Dr. Vitale Please put INQUIRY in the subject box to get past my spam filter.

LIMITATIONS: Due to highly restrictive California laws, I am currently prohibited from conducting psychotherapy via e-mail. Please do not ask me to do so. However, I will be more than happy to set up an appointment see you at my office .