11/2/17

1

trans*WorkingwithNon-CisgenderPersonsinPsychotherapy

ChristopherK.Belous,PhDLMFTCertifiedGayAffirmativeTherapist

belous_ck@mercer.eduhttp://www.chrisbelous.com

objectives

1. Keytrans*terms2. Primarytrans*identities3. Bestpracticesfortrans*clients4. Whenandhowtoreferfor

transitionevaluationservices

Participantsofthisworkshopwillacquireaworkingknowledgeof…

#1thingtoknow

Genderidentity

≠SexualOrientation

11/2/17

2

trans*terms– genderrelated

• Cisgender• GenderBinary• GenderDysphoria• GenderExpression• Genderqueer• NonBinary• trans*• Transgender• Transsexual• Sex• Gender

trans*terms– surgeryrelated

• SexReassignmentSurgery• Transition• TopSurgery• BottomSurgery• Bio[gender]• HormoneReplacementTherapy• GenderReassignmentEvaluation• PlasticSurgery

• Contouring,feminizing,masculinizing,implants

exampletrans*identities

• Agender• Genderqueer• Non-Binary• Genderless• Genderbent• Genderfluid• Transgender• Trans• Transsexual• F2M• M2F

11/2/17

3

bestpracticesfortrans*clients

• Workonyourself,first!• Examinebias andprivilege• Challengegendernormativityandstereotypes• Exploreself-concepts• Gatherknowledge

• EnvironmentalConcerns• Officespace• Paperwork• Advertising

bestpracticesfortrans*clients

• TypicalFocus/PresentingAreas:1. ExplorationandSolidificationofGenderIdentity

• Affirmative/SupportiveTherapy• Genuineness• Joining

2. ComingOut&SocialTransition• Dealingwithchallengessystemically• FamilyTherapyvs.Individualvs.Couplevs.Group

3. (Un)relatedMentalHealthIssues• MentalHealthProblems≠GenderIdentityIssues

genderdysphoria(F64.9)

PROS• Mayberequiredfortransition

• Insurancemostlikelypay(ifcovered)

• AccuracyofDiagnosis• Givesnametofeelingsandcontexttoexperience

CONS• Pathologizing• Historyoftransition,butnolongerindistress

• Insurance“carveouts”–notcoveredifincluded

“their gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth, and they are suffering clinically significant distress or social/occupational

impairment.” (TransHealth, UCSF, 2017)

11/2/17

4

generaltransitiontimeline

LivingasPreferredGender Surgery(s)

HormoneReplacement

Therapy

Evaluation(X2)

OngoingTherapy

MedicalConsult

TherapyConsult

OngoingTherapyandMedical

Intervention

Realization/ComingOut

Anytime0-6/9months3monthsout1year+

whenandhowtoreferfortransitionevaluationservicesWhenyouarenottrained,competent,experienced,or

underthesupervisionofsomeonewhois.

HowtoRefer:• Findalocalnetworkofaffirmativetherapists

• Preferablypeoplewhoadvertisethemselvesassuch,havetrainingandexperience- andyouknowyoucanTRUST them

• ConsiderlookingatPsychologyTodayforspecialtylistings–contacttherapistforconfirmation!

• Attendtrainings,lookfortrainingsandthetrainers,andthenrefertothem!

• Alwaysthinkaboutyourclientfirst– don’ttaketheeasyroute!

• WPATH– WorldProfessionalAssociationforTransgenderHealth(FindaProvider)

questionstoaskatherapisttodeterminefit• TheAdvocate.com recommendsthefollowingquestionstobeaskedatminimum:• Whatisyourtraining,knowledgeandexperienceinworkingwiththeLGBTQpopulation?

• Whatisyoursexualorientationandgenderidentity?(Notalltherapistswillfeelcomfortableansweringthisquestionbutmostaffirmativetherapistswillrespond,asamatterofmodeling.)

• Doyouprovide“conversiontherapy”or“reparativetherapy”or“sexualorientationchangeefforts?”Ifnot,whatdoyoubelieveaboutthisapproach?”

11/2/17

5

Myth-Busting!(orconfirming?)

Thankyouforlettingmecomeandspeakwithyoutoday!

ChristopherK.Belous,PhDLMFTCertifiedGayAffirmativeTherapist

belous_ck@mercer.eduhttp://www.chrisbelous.com

Instagram@chrisbelousTwitter@chrisbelousFacebook.com/RealDrB

FollowmeonmySocials!