The future of gender therapy & why study it?

Gender therapy is there for those who are struggling with their identity and body. It’s natural to question your gender. However, for some, the question of gender can truly have an impact on their lives.

After all, not all of us can be secure in the concept of our gender identity. A number of stereotypes and labels have left us questioning whether we really can adhere to society’s expectations of men, women and anyone who believes that their identity lies between biological definitions.

If you struggle with your own sense of gender, you may want to consider undertaking or studying gender therapy. Here is what you need to know.

Why should I study gender therapy?

If you are thinking about looking into gender studies courses, it may be because you are interested in learning about how gender can impact people physically, emotionally, socially and mentally.

This type of therapy is extremely useful for:

• Those who want to understand their body on a deeper level
• Those who feel confined by their expected gender role or forced to adhere to gender stereotypes
• Those who want to find out who they are and where they fit into society

You can study a gender therapy course, or take advantage of gender therapy yourself, whether you are a cisgendered person or someone who identifies as transgender. Mainly, this type of therapy is perfect for people who are questioning their gender or who are extremely uncomfortable with their bodies.

Gender therapy is useful for coming to terms with gender. Keep in mind, however, that it is not the role of the gender therapist to define the gender identity of the patient. Instead, the therapist provides the tools to help the patient understand themselves and who they are as a person. 

How can gender therapy help me and/or others?

By undertaking a gender therapy course, you can learn about the different ways to help people (and yourself) feel better about the body that they were born into.

Gender treatment in general can also encompass both medical and non-medical options to help tackle gender dysphoria and help the body look more like how the person identifies. Gender therapy provides a safe option for the patient and their loved ones to learn about what is troubling them, and how they can tackle it together.

What is the future of gender therapy?

Whether you are a therapist looking to improve your knowledge of gender therapy, or a patient (or perhaps parent of a patient) considering different types of counselling, it is important to keep in mind that gender studies is a topic that is always changing.

Tolerance and open-mindedness are big factors that appear time and time again. So, you should make sure to keep up with the latest terminology, pronouns, and non-medical methods to help patients feel more comfortable in their body.

With that said, in the future, there may be more specific treatments available for patients to consider, including gene therapy and reproductive technology. There has been talk that modern medicine systems are ignoring transgender people. It is crucial, then, that gender therapy is there to provide pathways to help people have happier, healthier lives, whether those lives may also include surgeries and hormone treatments that can enhance the futures of different patients.