Working Toward Family Attunement: Family Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Children and Adolescents

Deborah Coolhart; Daran L Shipman

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2016.10.002

Working Toward Family Attunement: Family Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Children and Adolescents

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2017 Mar;40(1):113-125. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2016.10.002.

Authors

Deborah Coolhart¹, Daran L Shipman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, Syracuse University, 601 East Genesee Street, Peck Hall, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA. Electronic address: dcoole@syr.edu.
² Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, Syracuse University, 601 East Genesee Street, Peck Hall, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA.

PMID: 28159138
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2016.10.002

Abstract

Families of transgender and gender-nonconforming youth often seek therapy for assistance in understanding, accepting, and supporting their child. This article describes a gender-affirmative approach to family therapy and outlines strategies for addressing common challenges faced by the families of transgender and gender-nonconforming youth. Therapy begins by assessing family attunement and working with parents, siblings, and other family members to better support the youth. Once family attunement is achieved, therapy can begin to explore options for gender expression and/or transition. The therapeutic model is illustrated by applying it to case examples.

Keywords: Family; Gender affirmative; Gender nonconforming; Support; Therapy; Transgender; Youth.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Family Therapy / methods*
Gender Dysphoria*
Humans
Parents / psychology
Transgender Persons / psychology*