Description

Description:
The counseling experiences of 13 transgender and gender nonconforming individuals were examined via semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using multiple standards of trustworthiness (e.g., member checking, negative case analysis), researchers analyzed each interview from an interpretative phenomenological analytic framework. Four main themes were identified: (a) mental health professional selection process, (b) trans-affirmative approach, (c) trans-negative approach, and (d) support systems beyond counseling. Implications for implementing culturally responsive TGNC affirmative counseling, TGNC sensitive counselor training, and social justice oriented research are discussed.

Objectives:

1. Examine transgender and gender-nonconforming clients’ counseling experiences.
2. Explore factors that support culturally responsive affirmative counseling for transgender and gender-nonconforming clients.

Author(s):

• Rafe Julian McCullough, PhD, Assistant Professor, Lewis & Clark College
• Lindy K. Parker, EdS
• Cory Viehl, PhD, Associate Program Director and Associate Professor, City University of Seattle
• Catharina Chang, PhD, Professor, Georgia State University
• Thomas M. Murphy
• Franco Dispenza, PhD, Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling and Counselor Education, Georgia State University