ClinicalSkills w/ TransClients

Catalog description

Less than 30% of psychologists report familiarity with transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) clients' needs. The clients, in turn, report a lack of support in their gender journeys. There is clearly a large gap in knowledge, skill, and competence in this area of practice. (Singh, & dickey, 2017). This course represents an advanced training on developing clinical competence and affirmative counseling skills with Transgender, and Gender Expansive communities. Student will learn about gender development from a Gender Authentic Model (GAM), exploring how gender assigned at birth does not always result in cisgender identities. Exploration of personal biases and beliefs related to gender norms, gender identity, and the ability to claim an authentic gender identity then one assigned at birth will be discussed. Developing clinical skills and cultural humility in working with trans and gender expansive people is a primary goal of this course. Furthermore, the course will explore current theories, lived experiences of gender diverse people, empirical data, and ethical and legal rights of transgender and gender expansive people. This course requires students to reflect on their own biases and prejudices and engage in conscious rising discussions about gender beliefs and norms to develop competence in counseling and providing care to transgender and gender expansive people.