BookPDF Available

The Gender Affirmative Model: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Supporting Transgender and Gender Expansive Children

Authors:
Colton M St. Amand at University of Houston
Colton M St. Amand
Diane Ehrensaft at University of California, San Francisco
Diane Ehrensaft
Erica Anderson at University of California, San Francisco
Erica Anderson
Kobi Mar
Kobi Mar
Kobi Mar
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Show all 20 authorsHide
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract

This warm and timely book provides mental health professionals with a guide to the Gender Affirmative Model, the leading approach for working with transgender and gender expansive children and their families. Using an easy-to-follow framework, readers will learn how to facilitate and enable children to live in their authentic gender with necessary social supports. The authors describe how to address distress and build resilience within children and families, while also strengthening awareness of the complex interplay of cultural factors with gender. They also address the complex psychological, social and community challenges faced by transgender and gender expansive children, as well as the potential mental health struggles that can arise as a result of bullying and more subtle forms of societal discrimination.
Content uploaded by Colton M St. Amand
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Colton M St. Amand on Jul 04, 2018
Content may be subject to copyright.
The
Gender
Affirmative
Model
An Interdisciplinary
Approach to Supporting
Transgender and Gender
Expansive Children
Edited by
Colt Keo-Meier and Diane Ehrensaft
... The process of healing ruptures that occur in primary relationships is the cornerstone of clinical work with parents and adolescents. Parents report wanting to support their children who are suffering from emotional dysregulation by being involved in their therapy (Coolhart, 2018;Lawrence et al., 2021;Melton et al., 2021). Adolescents report valuing their parents as role models but want to be treated as individuals with agency in their help-seeking for emotional distress (McKenna et al., 2021;O'Neill et al., 2023). ...
Engaging Polyvagal Theory to Inform a Relational Approach in Clinical Work with Adolescent-Parent Dyads
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2025
  • CLIN SOC WORK J
Adolescent-parent relationships have been impacted by rising mental health challenges that strain healthy relational dynamics. Distress, loneliness, anxiety and depression are commonly addressed by clinicians with therapeutic interventions that center symptom reduction and problem resolution. The aim of this paper is to explore how Polyvagal theory can be integrated into clinical work with adolescent-parent dyads to emphasize the relational constructs of attunement, conflict/avoidance, and disconnection between parents and their adolescent children. This paper presents an explanation of the neurological dynamics of Polyvagal Theory to offer a framework for understanding how adolescent-parent attunement can be achieved through shared somatic experiences. This theoretical grounding is valuable to therapists to help facilitate relational healing using Polyvagal-informed co-regulation techniques, so vital for achieving a state of safety for the child, and well-being for both. Composite case examples illustrate the integration of somatic theories into practical applications with adolescent-parent dyads.
View
... In riferimento a ciò, appare preferibile adottare il Gender Affirmative Model (GAM) (Ehrensaft, 2019;Keo-Meier & Ehrensaft, 2018), un approccio che viene utilizzato per la validazione e l'accettazione dell'identità delle persone gender variant. Il GAM è un modello che supporta i soggetti che non si riconoscono in uno dei due generi "accettati" e propone un approccio non patologizzante verso l'infanzia gender variant, dato che la diversità di genere non è concepita come una patologia, ma come una delle molteplici variazioni dell'identità di genere. ...
Il Gender Affirmative Model e i contesti educativi zerosei non cisnormativi. Una riflessione pedagogica per bambine e bambini gender variant* 1
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2024
Riassunto La prima infanzia è un periodo di peculiare importanza per lo sviluppo sociale, emotivo e cognitivo delle/dei bambine/i (UNICEF, 2018-2021). La dimensione di genere ha oggigiorno una determinata influenza nel momen-to in cui si redigono i testi normativi inerenti alla progettazione curriculare del sistema integrato zerosei, sebbene il modello di riferimento continui a essere di carattere essenzialmente cisnormativo. Il presente contributo intende offrire la prospettiva del Gender Affirmative Model per supportare lɜ bambinɜ nell'esplorare l'ampio ventaglio dei generi che loro ritengono più confortevoli. In conclusione, il lavoro propone l'implementazione di tale modello per la progettazione pedagogica ed educativa a partire dalla formazione del personale educativo, affinché si possa lavorare sulla co-costruzione di strategie educative inclusive per tutti i generi. Parole-chiave: Differenze; Cisnormatività; Inclusione; Prima infanzia; Servizi educativi. The Gender Affirmative Model and non-cisnormative early childhood education services. A pedagogical reflection for gender variant children Abstract Early childhood is a period of special importance for the social, emotional , and cognitive development of children (UNICEF, 2018-2021). While the regulations governing the curricular design of the ECEC include a sec-* In questo lavoro userò "bambinə" e "bambinɜ" (dove "ə" è lo schwa singolare, mentre "ɜ" quello plurale), "bambino/a" e "bambini/e" in modo intercambiabile. Le motiva-zioni di questa doppia scelta risiedono nel fatto che, nonostante l'uso dello schwa sia più adatto quando si parla di identità gender creative o variant, il ricorso esclusivo a esso per riferirmi a soggetti che non sono ancora pienamente coscienti della loro identità rappresenterebbe una scelta "imposta dal mondo adulto", alla stregua della formula binaria maschile/femminile. Sia lo schwa che il maschile e il femminile avranno un'accezione non assoluta ma parziale, nel rispetto del diritto che ogni persona ha di scegliere di identificarsi in uno dei due generi socialmente accettati o di non riconoscer-si in nessuno di essi. ** Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy). Civitas educationis, a. XIII, n. 2, dicembre 2024 • Mimesis Edizioni, Milano-Udine Web: universitypress.unisob.na.it/ojs/index.php/civitaseducationis • ISSN (online): 2281-9568 • ISBN: 9791222317953 •
View
... More specifically, they recalled wishing they had been provided opportunities to explore the root of their unhappiness and distress more deeply. The gender affirmative model asserts that neither HSP nor parents of a transgender client can presume a particular gender identity trajectory and therefore they must allow the client to explore and express gender identity for themselves (Keo-Meier & Ehrensaft, 2018). It appears that participants in our study reported receiving the opposite of gender-affirming care. ...
Lived experiences: Exploring detransition narratives
Article
  • Jan 2025
Background: Many people who have experienced gender incongruence decide to go through the process of transitioning. A small number of people who transition will decide to stop or reverse some or all aspects of their transition process and detransition. Aims: To bridge the gap in the psychology literature and the emerging yet poorly understood phenomenon of gender detransition, the aim of the current study was to explore the lived experiences of this unique population. Method: Thirteen adults who detransitioned participated in semi-structured interviews regarding the external and internal stressors that contributed to their decision to detransition. The authors used Meyer's minority stress model as a theoretical framework and consensual qualitative research methods to conceptualize and analyze the data. Results: Results of the interview data highlighted that the factors contributing to a person's decision to transition and detransition are multifaceted and unique. Participants' decision to transition were influenced by others who suggested or encouraged them to transition, gender dysphoria, body image concerns, and poor mental health. Participants reported several external (e.g. negative experiences with health service providers) and internal (e.g. regret regarding insufficient exploration) stressors with being transgender. Outcomes of detransitioning were explored and included relational change, increased self-acceptance, improved well-being, and loss of trans community. Conclusions: Study limitations, implications for counseling, and future research are discussed.
View
... Consistent with existing literature and the principles of the gender-affirmative model, which emphasizes affirmation of gender identity, empowerment, and mitigation of stigma and discrimination, our findings highlight the importance of creating a welcoming environment within healthcare settings [54,60,61]. A welcoming environment serves as a practical application of these principles by affirming and validating the gender identities of TGW, alleviating anxiety, building confidence, and fostering trust during the HIV testing process, thereby encouraging regular healthcare engagement, which is essential for continuous HIV prevention and treatment [62,63]. ...
A qualitative description of HIV testing and healthcare experiences among trans women in Ghanaian urban slums BSGH-012
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2024
Achieving the UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets hinges on identifying and engaging individuals with HIV in care, requiring 90% of those infected to be diagnosed, initiated on ART, and achieving viral suppression. Despite this imperative, HIV testing services as well as research in Ghana often overlook the unique experiences of transgender women in urban slums, impacting their engagement with care. Using the gender affirmative model lens, this study reports the HIV testing experiences of trans women in Ghanaian slums, highlighting how the healthcare environment, counseling, and healthcare provider attitudes shape these experiences. The study used a qualitative descriptive interview design with 20 trans women aged 18 to 31 from urban slums in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo, with results presented in categories and subcategories. Two main categories emerged from our data analysis: 1) Positive Experiences with HIV Testing, and 2) Negative Experiences with HIV Testing. Positive experiences with HIV testing among trans women in Ghanaian slums included a welcoming environment at healthcare facilities, supportive counseling, and relatability with HIV-positive nurses. Negative experiences were characterized by fear and anxiety during testing, often intensified by healthcare worker attitudes, including unwelcoming behaviors and judgmental body language, especially in facilities that are not key population friendly. These categories provided a framework for understanding the varied experiences of trans women in Ghanaian slums regarding HIV testing. The study highlights the urgent need for Ghanaian slum healthcare facilities to address discrimination against trans women by creating inclusive, supportive environments. It stresses the importance of using a gender-affirmative approach to improve HIV testing and health outcomes for trans women. Policymakers and healthcare providers must focus on training, inclusive care, and cultural competence to reduce health disparities for this population.
View
... That is, it is a biographical process [41]. Moreover, the current study relies on a transemancipatory theoretical framework [18] and takes into account the role of the pathologization of gender diversity in the maintenance of cisnormative structural injustice [42], which negatively impacts trans children [43,44]. These theoretical approaches underpinned the ethics and methodology of this study, which recognizes that gender diversity is neither pathological nor problematic and whose aim is not to prescribe but to describe and understand. ...
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in the Transition Process: A Qualitative Study of Families of Trans Children and Adolescents
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2024
The aim of this study was to explore the role that healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and sexologists, play in supporting trans children and adolescents in their transition processes. To this end, 22 life stories written by parents of trans children and adolescents who had undergone social transition were collected, and a qualitative analysis was carried out using MAXQDA software. For this purpose, three key periods were considered in the stories: before, during and after the transition. Among other aspects, the stories highlight a major lack of understanding on the part of the professionals who should support trans children and adolescents, and their families, in their transition processes. Parents described the attitude of those professionals who actively listened to their children’s needs and were cooperative as positive, even if they do not have the necessary training. The need for specific training in diversity is one of the main conclusions of this study.
View
... Ces études comprennent le développement identitaire comme étant fluide, et ne pouvant être prédit (Keo-Meier et Ehrensaft, 2018). Cependant, la recherche s'intéressant à des moments spécifiques du parcours des jeunes qui détransitionnent demeure rare. ...
Regards sur les difficultés vécues lors de la transition chez les jeunes ayant détransitionné
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2023
Les caractéristiques propres aux parcours des jeunes qui détransitionnent (qui choisissent de discontinuer leur transition de genre) demeurent encore peu connues à ce jour. En outre, dans les dernières années, plusieurs études se sont intéressées aux difficultés vécues par les jeunes durant leur transition (médicale, sociale et/ou légale). Cependant, encore peu de recherches ont cherché à mettre en relief les défis propres aux parcours des jeunes qui détransitionnent. Or, un besoin criant de caractérisation demeure et pourrait permettre de mieux accompagner ces jeunes avec un parcours de genre encore méconnu et en émergence. Cette étude s’appuie sur des données amassées dans le cadre d’une recherche s’intéressant aux discours autour de la détransition chez les jeunes. Cet article a pour but d’examiner les difficultés vécues lors de la transition chez les jeunes ayant détransitionné. Il s’appuie sur 20 entrevues semi-dirigées avec des jeunes âgé·e·s de 16 à 25 ans, provenant de sept pays différents et ayant détransitionné. L’analyse permet de dégager des difficultés intrinsèques et extrinsèques en incluant plusieurs qui sont également vécues par les jeunes trans et non binaires. Une réflexion sur l’accompagnement des jeunes de la diversité des genres conclut l’article.
View
View
View
View
Trans-narrative psicoanalitiche
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2024
Negli ultimi anni, il tema della diversità di genere ha acquisito una sempre maggiore visibilità, promuovendo la diffusione di narrazioni riguardanti le persone transgender e di genere diverso (TGD). Purtroppo, questa popolarità ha anche generato misconcezioni, stereotipi e pregiudizi, alimentati dalla combinazione di narrative unidimensionali, patologizzanti e stigmatizzanti provenienti da varie fonti, compresa la psicoanalisi. Tuttavia, recenti studi di genere hanno portato allo sviluppo di una prospettiva più affermativa delle variazioni di genere non considerandole più disturbi, ma espressioni legittime dell’identità individuale, plasmate dalla cultura e dalla società. A partire da tali premesse, questo articolo si propone di esplorare l’intreccio delle narrazioni che contribuiscono alla formazione delle identità TGD. Attraverso una lente psicoanalitica, vengono descritte le narrazioni principali che, intrecciandosi con le diverse realtà intrapsichiche, linee evolutive e circostanze di vita, si trasformano in ‘trans-narrative psicoanalitiche’, ovvero in soluzioni narrative e dinamiche che le persone appartenenti a queste popolazioni adottano per cercare di diventare un soggetto autentico e coeso. Alcune di queste narrative riguardano i contesti di vita (famiglia, scuola, sistema sanitario, ecc.), altre tappe evolutive comuni, altre le narrazioni corporee, altre ancora la diagnosi di disforia di genere e le narrazioni stereotipiche associate (‘being trans-enough’, ‘it gets better’ e ‘imperativo del coming-out’). Sebbene analizzate separatamente, queste narrazioni si intrecciano in una rete narrativa, o ‘master trans-narrative’, all’interno della quale le persone TGD si posizionano in base a diverse variabili, anch’esse oggetto di questo lavoro.
View
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.