Okay, I’ll admit – the title on this page is a mouth-full. That’s because the gender identity umbrella is so vast – and so are our experiences. Trans people aren’t a monolith – transgender, nonbinary people, and gender expansive people all experience the world differently. Understanding your own experience more deeply can help you to foster your relationship with yourself and with other people in your universe.
Therapy can offer support for transgender individuals as they navigate their unique journeys. It provides a safe and nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore complicated feelings and experiences – making space to unpack gender norms, process trauma, and celebrate trans joy.
Sometimes your gender is just the context and isn’t the content of therapy – working with a therapist that understands gender and transness takes the pressure off, allowing you to just show up as you are.
When gender is the content of therapy, that’s great too. Some people might use the therapy space for
- Exploring and understanding your gender identity
- Understanding and unpacking gender dysphoria
- Celebrating and uplifting trans joy and community
- Coping with transphobic news and events
- Navigating interpersonal transphobia and micro-aggressions
- Social and medical transition
- Explore coming out or choosing not to come out
- Setting and communicating boundaries
- Challenging internalized transphobia
- Navigating personal values and beliefs about gender
- Confronting fears of detransition
- Understanding the impacts of socially constructed gender norms and ideals
- Clarifying impacts of intersecting identities on your experience of gender
Whatever your experience, collaborating with a gender inclusive therapist can allow for support, validation, and empowerment as you navigate your own path of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and sometimes self-love.
GENDER IDENTITY EXPLORATION
No matter the end point, exploring gender in therapy can be a valuable and transformative experience for individuals who are questioning their gender identity or for cisgender people seeking a deeper understanding of their gender expression.
Gender is fundamentally impacted by societal and cultural expectations – therapy allows you to process the ways that gender has been put on you and can help you to integrate your own gender in a way that is in line with your values. A therapist offer support, guidance, and resources to help you explore your gender in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
During therapy, you might explore your thoughts and feelings about gender norms, reflect on your personal history and experiences, and discuss any challenges or concerns you may have related to gender.
Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable and affirming of diverse gender identities and expressions can be game-changing for transgender people, non-binary people, gender expansive people – and yes, for cisgender people.
Mars Vallon, LCSW 