Transgender Therapy

Whether you are seeking emotional support for a significant life transition or you want practical tools for a specific issue, therapy provides a secure place to process your feelings and explore new ways of coping with distress. Everyone benefits from a unique therapeutic approach, and your therapist will consider several factors when developing an appropriate treatment plan for your care.

If you identify as transgender, it’s important to feel safe and supported by your therapist. Let’s explore the best types of therapy for transgender adults.

What Are The Best Types of Therapy for Transgender Adults?

When it comes to getting the most from your therapy experience, everyone has different needs. The overarching best practices for individual therapy with transgender adults typically include:

• Understanding that gender is nonbinary and does not inherently align with one’s assigned sex at birth
• Exploring how gender identity intersects with other identities
• Discussing how prejudice and stigma can inhibit one’s well-being
• Advocating for social change
• Diagnosing and treating co-occurring issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or body dysmorphia
• Discussing and referring resources for prosocial support
• Discussing the various roles and definitions of parenting and families

The best types of therapy for transgender adults may also include specific interventions related to one’s identity as being transgender. Some people may be very comfortable in their identities; others may feel more ashamed and humiliated. 

Relationship Between Therapist and Client

Typically, the best types of therapy for transgender adults are inclusive, compassionate, and supportive. However, therapy can also be confrontational and assertive; it may entail difficult conversations, which can result in uncomfortable feelings.

The relationship between the therapist and client is sacred. That said, it’s common for clients to have intense reactions to their therapists. For example, a therapist may resemble an ex-partner. The therapist may be like the mother the client wishes she had. These reactions can provide useful clues into the client’s unconscious self, and processing them can tremendously improve a client’s self-awareness. 

Free Association

Free association is one of the best types of therapy for transgender adults. Free association is a simple but powerful therapeutic exercise where clients lead the session with whatever material they desire. This open-ended processing sheds light on patterns of thinking and feeling, and it can reveal unconscious sources of distress. 

Dream Analysis

Some clients find it helpful to share and learn more about their dreams in therapy. In doing this, therapists guide and collaborate their clients into sorting various content and themes exhibited in their dreams. This is one of the easiest but best types of therapy for transgender adults. That’s because the work isn’t about the therapist making interpretations for the client; instead, it’s more about the client finding their own meaning from their dreams. By making these meaning

Final Thoughts

The best types of therapy for transgender adults may vary from person to person, but it’s vital that you feel empowered by your process.

At Lumos Counseling PC, we pride ourselves on adhering to transgender therapy best practices with all of our clients. We believe in providing a respectful, warm space for anyone who wants to be heard and who wishes to improve their quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Research shows that there are just over 1.3 million adults (0.6 percent of the population) who identify as transgender.  However, many LGBTQ+ activists argue that sample surveys are often unreliable and that this figure may be closer to 3 percent.

Potential clients seeking mental health support should know the best practices for individual therapy with transgender adults. Read on for more information on what you need to know.

Best Practices for Individual Therapy with Transgender Adults

When it comes to adhering to the transgender therapy best practices, sensitivity and cultural competence are crucial. There are a few essential considerations to keep in mind.

Understanding Fluid Gender Expression

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), mental health clinicians understand that gender is a nonbinary construct that allows for a range of gender identities that may not inherently align with the assigned birth sex. This means understanding that many people define themselves beyond the labels of “man” or “woman.”

Instead, research continues to highlight how many individuals use a broad spectrum of gender identity and expression to define themselves. Best practices for individual therapy with transgender adults encourages and embraces unique expression. Until as late as the 1990s, many healthcare professionals subscribed to binary gender models.

However, the best types of therapy for transgender individuals are inclusive and nonconforming.

Understanding Sexual Orientation vs. Gender

Clinicians who utilize best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults understand the differences between sexual orientation and gender. Sexual orientation refers to someone’s sexual or emotional attraction towards another person. Gender, on the other hand, relates to self-expression and one’s inherent sense of identity. Gender identity tends to manifest as young as early toddlerhood.

Clinicians who follow best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults are interested and cognizant of their clients’ emotional development. They do not jump to conclusions or make associations based solely on the individual’s outward expression. 

Understanding Cultural Biases, Discrimination, and Violence

Transgender people have been the victims of severe brutality and fatal violence. Clinicians who follow best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults recognize the inherent risk their clients face out in the community each day. They understand the role that discrimination and prejudice can play in affecting one’s relationships, academic and occupational functioning, housing, and overall quality of life.

Therapy provides a safe place to explore the ramifications of such inequality. Best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults entails maintaining a sense of both compassion and curiosity. Likewise, these clinicians are understanding and willing to process through their own biases and opinions while working with this population.  

Understanding Transgender Expression Through The Lifespan 

A transgender client may have unique needs and struggles throughout life. These difficulties may first surface during adolescence when the individual begins establishing a sense of identity and forming romantic relationships. It may progress through significant milestones like marriage, pregnancy and childrearing, career development, sickness, and old age.

Best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults includes providing support throughout difficult transitions. It also may consist of offering supportive referrals for outside resources as needed.

Final Thoughts

At Lumos Counseling PC, we integrate best practices for individual therapy for transgender adults. No matter your circumstances, we believe in providing a secure and nonjudgmental environment for you to explore, grow, and thrive. 
Individual therapy that focuses on exploring your innermost thoughts and feelings is one of the best types of therapy for transgender adults. With individual therapy, no topic is off-limits. Are you ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.