Working with Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender-Questioning Clients: Building a Gender-Affirming Practice: Video Course

Not only are gender-diverse individuals more likely to experience mental-health difficulties (primarily due to the profound impact of societal stigma) – but also, they are less likely to seek mental health support, expecting to be met with rejection, scepticism and lack-of-understanding.

This intellectually stimulating and practical seminar by Laura Scarrone Bonhomme, who specialises in Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity (LGBTQI+) and has provided support to over 300 trans, non-binary and gender-questioning individuals; aims to take us on a journey to discover the inner life and challenges of gender-diverse individuals and their loved ones. The aim is to spark sufficient compassion, interest and confidence that would allow psychotherapists and counsellors to work affirmatively with gender-clients; instead of referring them on.

Specifically, we discuss:

• Practical strategies that address issues including:
  • Gender dysphoria: working with the continual unease a client may have due to a discrepancy between gender identity and the sex assigned at birth
• The relationships that trans and non-binary individuals form with the mirror
  • These may manifest as higher levels of body dissatisfaction, increased likelihood of experiencing anxious and depressive symptoms, difficulties with sexual and other types of intimacy, and lower self-esteem
• Understanding the experiences of gender-diverse individuals who transition in later life
• Comprehending the commonly found emotions within gender work and practical strategies for managing concurrent challenges

About the speaker

Laura Scarrone Bonhomme (MSc Health & Clinical Psy., CPsychol.) is a Clinical Psychologist who trained and developed her career internationally, working in Spain, South America, and the United Kingdom. She specialises in gender and sexual diversity working in a private capacity and, for many years, as part of the NHS Adult Gender Identity Clinic in Charing Cross. She has publications on the therapeutic relationship and challenges faced by transgender and non-binary people. Laura is part of the BPS Gender Diversity Specialist Register, a Member of the British Association of Gender Specialist (BAGIS), and a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

© nscience 2021 / 22