Reflections and (un)learnings on Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse People and Their Families in a Mental Health Family Service New to This Work

Abstract

Counsellors and family therapists unfamiliar with working with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people may be hesitant to undertake this work. A lack of familiarity is not a reason to avoid the work. There is a clear need for professionals to be open to supporting people with TGD lived experience and their families, who are increasingly turning to healthcare services for help. This paper outlines an approach adopted by an organisation not well practised in working with TGD people, in response to increased calls for support. The Bouverie Centre, in Victoria, Australia, paired a researcher (who works in other contexts with TGD people and their families) and a clinical family therapist (not well practised in working with TGD people) to synthesise their skills and knowledge to fill the service gap. This paper offers reflections and (un)learnings from these 45+ year old, cisgender workers who were new to clinical work with people with TGD lived experience and their families.