Affirmative Counseling and Psychological Practice With Trans and Nonbinary Clients

This thoroughly revised edition uses an intersectional, social justice lens to teach practitioners how to competently and compassionately work with trans and nonbinary (TNB) clients and help them flourish.

Research and clinical knowledge have been significantly updated to reflect emerging knowledge of gender diversity, including an expanded multicultural focus and the unique experiences of TNB people of color. New chapters debunk bad science on TNB people, discuss working with TNB clients in sports and other physical activities, and how to treat trauma and suicidality among TNB clients.

The book addresses challenges that TNB individuals and communities face, including ongoing legal assaults on their rights and identities, while resolutely promoting joy and thriving through affirmative practice. Chapters translate scientific knowledge into practical guidelines for therapists in multiple areas, including interdisciplinary collaborative care with other helping professionals, such as physicians and social services, as well as social and legal advocacy. They also offer guidelines for working with TNB clients across different racial and ethnic identities; religious and spiritual beliefs; and developmental stages, from gender-questioning youth to older adults.

Contributors

Introduction: Helping Trans and Nonbinary People Thrive
Anneliese Singh and Rafe McCullough

Acknowledgments

Part I. Foundations of Trans and Nonbinary-Affirming Care

• Chapter 1. Gender Diversity Within Trans and Nonbinary Communities
  Rafe McCullough,  Anneliese Singh, and Heidi P. Breaux
• Chapter 2. Ethical and Legal Considerations With Trans and Nonbinary Clients
  Cort M. Dorn-Medeiros, Sarah E. Burgamy, and Linda Campbell
• Chapter 3. Integrating Advocacy Into Mental Health Care With Trans and Nonbinary Clients
  Robin M. Mathy
• Chapter 4. Affirmative Interdisciplinary Care With Trans and Nonbinary Clients
  Kelly Ducheny, Michael L. Hendricks, G. Nic Rider, and Colton M. St. Amand
• Chapter 5. Debunking Bad Science With Trans and Nonbinary Communities
  Doug Knutson, Bek Urban, and Aaron Breslow

Part II. Working With Diverse Client Identities and Life Stages

• Chapter 6. Trans and Nonbinary People and Communities of Color: Resilience, Resistance, and Liberation
  Anneliese A. Singh, Sel Hwahng, Tochukwu Awachie, Aléx Bassi, and Trae Brown
• Chapter 7. Working With Nonbinary Communities
  Em Matsuno, Jay Bettergarcia, and Nat L. Bricker
• Chapter 8. Affirmative Practice With Trans and Nonbinary Parents and Caregivers
  Daniel Walinsky, Julie M. Koch, and Anneliese Singh
• Chapter 9. Affirmative Counseling With Trans and Nonbinary Children
  Aidan Key and Rafe McCullough
• Chapter 10. Gender-Affirming Care With Trans and Nonbinary Adolescents
  Lisa Griffin
• Chapter 11. Affirmative Care With Trans and Nonbinary Older Adults
  Kyle L. Bower and Mary Chase Miz

Part III. Clinical Skills and Interventions

• Chapter 12. Gender-Affirming Assessment and Treatment of Trauma With Trans and Nonbinary Clients
  Theodore R. Burnes, Jan E. Estrellado, and Anneliese Singh
• Chapter 13. Trans and Nonbinary Suicidality and Suicide Risk Management
  Jayme Peta and Aspen Thomson
• Chapter 14. Trans and Nonbinary Experiences of Religion, Spirituality, and Faith
  Ruben Hopwood and Jack Bruno
• Chapter 15. Trans and Nonbinary Participation in Physical Activities, Competitive Sports, and Physical Education Classes
  John Gleaves, Matt Englar-Carlson, and Max Usman

Index

About the Editors

Anneliese Singh, PhD, LPC (she/they), is associate provost for diversity and faculty development, chief diversity officer, and professor in the School of Social Work at Tulane University, where she also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology. Their research explores racial healing, racial justice, and trans and queer liberation, with special attention to people of color and young people. Dr. Singh is the author of The Racial Healing Handbook and The Queer and Trans Resilience Workbook. Dr. Singh founded the Trans Resilience Project to translate their LGBTQ+ research findings into school and community-based change efforts. Find Dr. Singh on Instagramopens in new window and LinkedInopens in new window.

Rafe McCullough, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, is associate professor of professional mental health counseling in the Department of Counseling, Therapy, and School Psychology at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Dr. McCullough has counseling specializations in clinical mental health and professional school counseling. His writing, research, and advocacy efforts center on multicultural and social justice counseling and advocacy, disability and disability justice, clinical practice with youth and young adults, supporting trans educators, and affirming clinical practices for queer and trans clients. He believes in the power of joy, wonder, curiosity, and humor to help trans and nonbinary communities.

At a time when disinformation and misinformation about gender-affirming care are rampant, this book is a much needed scientifically based resource for mental health providers to better understand and appropriately work with trans and nonbinary people. This second edition not only includes more recent research but also expands on how mental health professionals can and must support and advocate for trans and nonbinary communities in the face of bad science and hostile governments.
—Genny Beemyn, PhD, Nonbinary Scholar and Director of the Stonewall Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States

The new edition of this book is a timely update on an important community at a time when professional support and accurate knowledge are especially crucial. The authors share cutting-edge information and are established experts in their respected areas. This text would be among my top choices for teaching and training in clinical psychology and other mental health fields.
—Lauren Mizock, PhD, Core Faculty, Clinical Psychology PhD Program, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

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