Individual Affirming Care: Psychological and Social Approaches to Trans and Gender-Diverse Youth
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-2023
Institution/Department
Psychiatry
Journal Title
Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America
MeSH Headings
Adolescent; Humans; Family Therapy; Mental Health; Narration; Referral and Consultation
Abstract
Clinicians working with youth encounter transgender and gender-diverse youth and play a role in supporting the psychological and social well-being of youth and their families. Mental health clinicians start with a thorough assessment, development of a biopsychosocial formulation of the youth, and a collaborative treatment plan. Determining if the youth meets diagnostic criteria for Gender Dysphoria and identifying comorbid mental health diagnoses inform recommendations for psychiatric medication management, individual and/or family therapy interventions, and/or referrals to medical or surgical colleagues. Supporting development of a coherent identity narrative and healthy interpersonal attachments with others is an important goal of treatment interventions.
First Page
761
Last Page
773
Recommended Citation
Belfort EL, Brown B. Individual Affirming Care: Psychological and Social Approaches to Trans and Gender-Diverse Youth. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2023;32(4):761-773. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2023.05.006
