Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Natalia, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I remember taking a civil rights course during my undergraduate studies. Before I was interested in psychology and planned to study law, I took this course. As an immigrant, my knowledge of American history was almost nonexistent. I recall that first week in the class, I had no idea how the branches of the American government were formed.

So, I decided to solicit the support of my teacher. During our appointment, I remember vividly asking if there were any books she could recommend for me to read. This was before the YouTube era, before you could access information quickly with a push of a button. Mind you, I didn’t ask her to spend any of her valuable time explaining concepts to me.

Her answer still rings in my ears: “If you lack this knowledge, then my course is not for you. You will fail, and I suggest you drop out of the course!”

My response to her also rings in my ears: “With all due respect, I didn’t ask your opinion on whether I will succeed or fail your course, but the books you can recommend.” Even back then, I was a little rebel, standing up for myself, and I am proud of that to this day.

So what happened? I worked my ass off. I enlisted the help of a friend to tutor me and read everything I could get my hands on. The result? Nope, I didn’t graduate from her class with an A, but a B+, which for me is quite an achievement.

The lesson I learned is not to allow others’ projections of their limitations to rule your life and become your own!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

“I help gender diverse folks live anxiety-free, confidently!” That’s a bold statement, and it should be because everyone deserves to be free to be who they are without fearing consequences.

How do I accomplish this? First, I obtained a doctorate degree in clinical psychology to ensure I have the qualifications and knowledge to help people struggling with gender dysphoria and any issues related to gender. Then, I decided to become highly specialized in the field of gender. My motto is “Find one thing you love and do it well,” it’s what I live by. To accomplish this, for the past 18 years, I have been focusing my entire career on gender and gender dysphoria in adults.

This is how I am known as Dr. Z (shortened to spare folks breaking their tongues to pronounce my last name, Zhikhareva) in the transgender community. I am also an internationally recognized transgender specialist, a clinical psychologist, a writer, a speaker, and a court-appointed expert witness on gender. I am often seen speaking on gender issues and transgender care and have been featured as an expert on numerous platforms: Google Trans Conference, Forbes Health, BuzzFeed News, and the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.

Gender has always fascinated me. Perhaps because I don’t like to be told how to relate to my gender, or maybe it’s because I believe there are many ways to understand and look at gender. It’s also fascinating to me how much reaction gender conversation can foster in many, where such reactions come from, and what they teach us about our culture.

In my private practice, DR Z PHD, I strive to clarify clients’ most pressing questions and offer guidance on what steps they may take. For those who are unable to work with me 1:1, I offer online gender courses and my signature course, DIY Gender Transition Online Program for adult trans women!

What makes me stand out among colleagues in my field is my exclusive focus on gender issues. These days, we seldom see a psychologist focusing explicitly on one area of focus, and I pride myself on mastering it.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Starting DR Z PHD YouTube channel was one of the best things I have done for my private practice. For starters, it enabled me to create long-form content to demonstrate my knowledge and expertise. This is a key strategy if you want to be known as an expert or a specialist in a particular field. People can’t build trust and relationships with you without showing up and sharing what you know.

By now, DR Z PHD YouTube channel is an incredible online resource library with over 200 educational videos helping people find answers to their most pressing questions. The majority of my clients find me through my online video content, and by the time they book their 15-minute free phone consult, they already have a solid understanding of my level of expertise.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Apart from showcasing my knowledge in the gender field via social media, I learned that genuine engagement with your community is the key. And yes, that may require a lot of your time spent reading comments, responding, and following up, but trust me when I say it is worth it!

It’s not enough to show people you are good at something. You have to go beyond that and be able to help others. When it comes to gender, there are many folks who just want to be heard and understood. We are all social creatures, desiring love, belonging, and relatability. As Common says, “Let love have the last word!”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drzphd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drz.phd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRZPHDpractice/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzphd/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DRZPHD