Family Functioning and Gender Dysphoria

The way a therapist thinks about a phenomenon such as gender dysphoria and transition informs how they will respond clinically. The belief that gender dysphoria is caused by a mismatch between one’s sex and internal sense of being male or female informs treatment approaches that emphasize social and medical transition as ways to reduce dysphoria and improve functioning. A broader understanding of gender dysphoria will be presented that considers the family and relationship context of the individual, their level of maturity, and the role of chronic anxiety in the family. Key to managing gender dysphoria or any other symptom is the ability to regulate one’s emotional system, take a broader perspective, and respond thoughtfully to the challenge rather than reactively. Individuals vary in their ability to do this. A clinical approach informed by this understanding will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will learn about a range of factors that influence the course of gender dysphoria; Attendees will learn about the role family members play in an individual’s functioning; Attendees can describe the impact family members have on the course of gender dysphoria; Attendees can describe how the family environment impacts an individual’s ability to thoughtfully respond to life challenges; Attendees will learn the difference between cause-and-effect thinking and systems thinking; Attendees will be able to identify more thoughtful versus more emotionally driven ways of managing gender dysphoria; Attendees will learn about the role emotional reactivity can play in an individual’s transition process; Attendees can describe a family systems approach to gender dysphoria; Attendees can describe how strengthening and behaving more maturely in important relationships can help with the management of gender dysphoria.

Therapy First has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider,
ACEP No. 7505. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy
First is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This webinar provide 1.5 hours of CE credits.