The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Supporting Transgender Youth
The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Supporting Transgender Youth
Being an inclusive and affirming mental health clinician involves continuing education on the most up-to-date best practices to support clients of all backgrounds, including those exploring their gender identity. On this week’s episode of More Than a Therapy Couch, we sit down with Lisa Miller-Samber, an experienced therapist at Tree of Life Counseling Center who specializes in working with transgender youth, young adults and their families.
What does it mean to be transgender?
According to the Human Rights Campaign, the term transgender is “an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth.”
Many individuals who identify as transgender exist along various parts of the spectrum of gender identity and expression. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to being transgender or transitioning. Rather, it is a highly individualized process that can involve a variety of social and physical transitions.
What are pronouns? How do I respect someone’s pronouns?
Pronouns are words we use to refer to someone in place of their name. Some commonly used sets of pronouns include he/him, she/her, and they/them.
When someone is going through the process of transitioning, they may express preference to use a different set of pronouns than the ones that align with their gender assigned at birth. Out of respect to an individual’s identity, it is important to use their preferred pronouns. This small gesture goes a long way in creating an inclusive and safe environment for all clients.
Miller-Samber shares that while there are many ways to assume someone’s preferred pronouns, “the best way is to ask. And not in a way that’s ‘what are you?’ because it’s not a what. It’s ‘Okay, what are your pronouns?’”
Therapy for transgender individuals
Oftentimes, individuals exploring their gender identity will seek out mental health counseling prior to their transition to cope with feelings of gender dysphoria, or extreme levels of distress caused when a person’s assigned gender at birth is not the one they may identify with. Additionally, transgender youth face a myriad of risk factors that place them at higher risk for developing mental health issues, including bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence.
According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, half of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year with 3 out of 4 individuals reporting symptoms of anxiety and 3 in 5 individuals reporting symptoms of depression.
With the prevalence of mental health issues in the transgender community, it is important that mental health providers are educated on transgender issues and the best clinical modalities to support those facing them. Miller-Samber notes “I think things are changing, but it’s still scary…it’s important to be educated and talk to people who are part of the community.”
What does it mean to be an affirming mental health professional?
LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health professionals are clinicians who have taken a therapeutic stance to affirm a client’s gender identity or sexual orientation without attempting to “repair” or “change” it. These clinicians may not necessarily be part of the LGBTQ community themselves, but rather are educated on the issues these individuals face and the best clinical modalities to support them.
Miller-Samber emphasizes this point by sharing “I think I’m very open about not being a transgender person. I don’t know your exact path, but whatever it entails, I’m here for it, and I will never judge you or doubt you. I think it’s important for a person in an unsafe world…to have a space they can express themselves.”
About Tree of Life Counseling Center
At Tree of Life Counseling Center in Princeton, NJ and Freehold, NJ, we have an experienced team of 50+ clinicians to help support you, and your family, through whatever you may be facing. Schedule an appointment today by calling 732-393-8391 or filling out an online form at https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today