Introduction: Early intervention services (EIS) are crucial for improving outcomes in psychotic spectrum disorders but are less accessible for females. The disparity has been attributed to a sex and gender-specific presentations of psychosis as well as social factors. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory qualitative analysis of female-specific barriers to accessing EIS for psychosis. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 cisgender female participants enrolled in the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program (NSEPP) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Retrospective chart reviews were also conducted for each participant to gather information about their referral pathways and clinical history. The interview data was analyzed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis methodology. Results: The analysis revealed four superordinate themes and ten subordinate themes of female experiences accessing EIS. (1) Clinician preconceptions or dismissal: descriptions of multiple interactions with the healthcare system, clinician preconceptions of presentation and feeling dismissed. (2) Interpersonal relationships: male romantic partners delayed access to care and support of family and friends accelerated access to care. (3) Masking symptoms: participants hid symptoms out of fear of external perceptions and apparent high functioning at onset affected care (4) Trust and communication with the medical team: reports of a lack of understanding, distrust and unclear communication from clinicians. Conclusions: These themes underscore the importance of improving clinical awareness of sex and gender-specific characteristics of the presentation of early psychosis.