Parenting the Rainbow: Supporting Families of Transgender Youth

Recorded webinar.

This training will focus specifically on how to work with a variety of families who have a child or adolescent who is transgender. Providers, as well as involved family members, are often unfamiliar with the complex developmental, health, mental health, transition needs for trans youth, as well as challenges faced in various life areas such as school, work, and social activities. When working with trans children, therapists often find themselves navigating two parallel processes: the identity development and marginalizing experiences for the trans child AND building acceptance and affirmative practices within their parents, which is related to significantly reduced suicide risks in trans youth. However, parents may carry generational trauma, internalized colonized gender beliefs, and fear that may impact both their child’s mental health, as well as their relationship with their children. Working with families of trans youth is a challenge that is distinctly more complex than cisgender families.

You will leave this training with a greater understanding and comfort level in working with the families of gender expansive and transgender youth. Key content will focus on:

• Understanding Transgender Identities & Development
  • Terminology of identity related to sex and gender
  • Biology of gender development
  • Colonized & Decolonized understanding of gender
  • The difference between gender variation and gender dysphoria in children, adolescents, and adults as a matter of diversity, not pathology
  • Affirmation and Transition process
• Common Reactions in Parents of Trans Youth
  • Early stage denial/fear reactions
  • Mid stage processing reactions
  • Late stage pride/advocacy
• Common Identity Intersections
  • Neurodivergence
  • Queer/Trans Parents
  • Ethnicity
  • Trauma
  • Religion
  • Generational Trauma
• Multiculturally competent best practice and evidence-based practice for working with families of trans youth
  • Preparing Self for Work with Trans families: Building Self-Awareness & Reducing Bias
  • The “Diagnosis” & Family Shock: Providing Psychoeducation on Trans Masking & Development
  • Teaching a Gender Affirming Approach to Parents
  • Familial Denial & Fear: Using Person-Centered Practices to Create Space for Parents
  • Teaching Boundaries & Parallel Process Support
  • Teaching Active Listening & Building Empathy
  • Providing Psychoeducation
  • Recovering from Family Conflicts & Mistakes (Deadnaming, Misgendering)
  • Mediating in Individual & Family Therapy
  • Using Liberation Psychology Techniques
  • Loss of Social Supports
  • Divorce & Custody Issues
  • Unmasking Impact – When Parents Gender Identities Shift with Their Children
  • Teaching Families to Be Advocates for Their Child
  • Connecting Families into Trans Parents’ Networks
  • When Families won’t budge: Where do you draw the line?
  • Legal & Ethical Components of Identity Management

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the terms related to gender, gender expansiveness and transgender identities;
2. Differentiate the behavioral health needs in the parallel process of transgender youth and their families;
3. Identify intersectional demographics that can impact the therapeutic process;
4. Use best practices to support and educate involved family members in individual and family therapy.

Research:

• A listing of research on transgender and family issues can be found at Google Scholar
• Dr. Ginicola LGBTQI research can be found in the research section on Research Gate
• The World Professional Association for Transgender Health: Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming
• An article summarizing therapy with parents of trans youth 

Target Audience: Social workers, mental health counselors, case managers, marriage and family therapists, creative arts therapists, addictions professionals, psychologists, and other interested parties.

We are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.

ADA Accommodations: If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.