66th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 19

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 4

Transgender Therapy Groups: Building Communities of Support

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA Groups in College Counseling Centers and

Other Educational Settings SIG

Presenters:

Sheri Lyn Clark, Ph.D., Faculty, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina

Carol Lynn O’Saben, Ph.D., Faculty, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina

Jessica A. Walker, Ph.D., Faculty, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

An increasing number of individuals identify as gender-variant/transgendered. To address the needs of this growing population, mental health professionals need to understand unique challenges faced by these individuals. In this experiential workshop concepts & terms will be defined, theoretical models presented & considerations for therapy groups with transgendered clients will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Identify the basic concepts related to gender identity and understand these terms within a theoretical model of identity formation.

2. Acquire strategies for working with Transgendered clients in a short-term group therapy treatment model.

3. Gain knowledge of the challenges facing transgendered and gender-variant clients.

4. Understand the skills and attitudes necessary for trans-affirmative counseling.

5. Acquire strategies for working with transgendered clients.

Course References:

1. Carroll, L., Gilroy, P. J., & Ryan, J., (2002). Counseling transgender, transsexual, and gender-variant clients. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80(2), 131-140.

2. Korell, S. C., & Lorah, P., (2006). An overview of affirmative psychotherapy and counseling with transgender clients. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, and K. A. DeBord (Eds.) The handbook of psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients, 271-288.

3. Horne, S. G., & Levitt, H., M., (2003). Psychological and Counseling Groups with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Clients. In J. L. DeLucia-Waack, D. A. Gerrity, C. R. Kalodner, and M. Riva (Eds.) Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, 224-238.

4. Lev, A. I., (2004). Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic guidelines for working with gender-variant people and their families. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Clinical Practice Press.