Family Therapy, Trans Youth

Trans youth enter counseling for a variety of reasons, including their need to sort out and clarify their own understanding of their gender, manage and reduce distress that arises internally or as a result of harassment or rejection by others, improve their communication to significant others about their gender, and/or gain access to medical [Page 250]transition steps. Therapy may be initiated at the youth’s request or by their parents or guardians. This entry explains why family therapy is an essential component of mental health care and advocacy for trans youth and describes some of the components of family therapy specifically for trans youth.

Family therapy is essential for trans youth for a number of reasons. Trans youth often lack support from their parents. Most parents are ...