2018 Gender Spectrum Professionals' Symposium

Given what we know about the deleterious impact of family rejection on gender-expansive youth, it is important that therapeutic models both promote family acceptance for transgender and non-binary youth and provide intensive support to those youth experiencing severe and chronic rejection. This presentation will 1) describe research evidence on the negative impact of family rejection (e.g., suicide; homelessness; drug use); 2) provide examples of specific, family-based therapeutic techniques for managing and working through family rejection and promoting family acceptance; and 3) outline intensive strategies for supporting transgender youth who face severe and enduring family rejection. A major focus of the presentation will be on providing culturally sensitive care to youth and families. We will explicitly describe ways in which the transgender experience, the family’s experience of their transgender or non-binary child and the therapeutic relationship is impacted by the intersection of multiple aspects of identity, including race, culture, class, socioeconomic status, immigration status, language, religion and gender identity.