Psychologists' representations of gender identity between Spain and Greece: A qualitative cross‐cultural study

Abstract

AbstractTrans people's relationship with mental health providers carries historical tensions. Counseling services have been tied to standardized procedures or diagnostic certification of dysphoria and gender evaluations, while other psychosocial demands have been largely disregarded. Moreover, protocols and approaches focus disproportionately on Anglo‐American frameworks, in terms of epistemic resources established to describe gender‐diverse experiences. These issues affect both representations of gender identity and attitudes toward counseling. The present study aimed to address psychologists' accounts cross‐culturally, by using qualitative data acquired through interviews with active practitioners from Spain and Greece. Eighteen qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted in both countries in order to delve into the narratives related to trans mental health care provision. Thematic analysis using Atlas.ti was used to systematize the data. The accounts centered on gender identity representations and attributions, attitudes toward counseling, relationship with diagnoses, psychological approaches, and competent training. Findings point to the need for all‐encompassing, obligatory training of psychologists on trans mental health, followed by situated considerations of the contextual factors that may contribute to experiencing gender diversity differently. More cross‐cultural qualitative accounts are thus encouraged, to enrich and update the upcoming trans literature on the matter.