Dianne Gottlieb – Transgender & Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) Adult Clients: Culturally-Competent Strategies Every Clinician Should Know

Outline

AVOID COMMON MISTAKES & CREATE A GENDER-AFFIRMING ENVIRONMENT

• Confusing sex with gender
• Multiple roles of ally, resource, educator, & advocate
• Using a Gender-Affirming Therapy Model
• Create a TGNB inclusive intake form & office environment
• Respectful gender-appropriate language

UNDERSTAND GENDER IDENTITY FORMATION

• Gender identity and gender expression
• Possible causes of Gender Dysphoria
• Consider intersex condition
• Challenge the binary gender spectrum
• Learn the latest gender identity terminology
• Working with gender questioning clients

PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT OF TGNB CLIENTS

• Critical assessment questions
• When to diagnosis Gender Dysphoria
• Effectively assess for co-existing mental health disorders
• Evaluate for suicidality & self-harm
• Identify supportive individuals
• Explore feelings of internalized transphobia

UNIQUE ADVERSITIES TGNB CLIENTS FACE

• Transphobia
• Prepare a safety letter
• Microaggressions & systemic discrimination
• Intimate partner violence & HIV

HELP CLIENTS NAVIGATE SEX IN AN INCONGRUENT BODY

• Sexual orientation and the TGNB client
• Genital dysphoria and sexual activity
• Reframing sexual organs

STAGES OF TRANSITION & COMING OUT

• Non-medical transition steps
• Create a transition timeline
• Who, when, and how to tell others
• Help families process the news
• Create a support system

ADDRESS MEDICAL & LEGAL TRANSITION GOALS

• Therapist’s role as a “Gatekeeper”
• Informed Consent Model of treatment
• WPATH Standards of Care
• Prepare letters for hormone therapy and gender-affirmation surgeries
• Basics of gender-affirming surgeries and effects of cross-gender hormones
• Prepare clients for legal name, gender marker, & birth certificate changes

GAINS & LOSSES OF TRANSITIONING

• Impact on love relationships, family and friends, and changing roles
  • Dating as your true self
• Potential loss of relationships, housing, employment, religion
• Changes in societal status and privilege
  • Incorporate old self with new self
• Grieving process due to changes
• Unique impact of transition on the older client
• Looking at the impact of transition years later

BECOME A RESOURCE FOR TGNB CLIENTS

• Referral resources in the medical community
• Local and national TGNB-friendly resources
• WPATH’s Global Education Initiative: The Path of Certification