Meaning-Making and Flourishing in a Challenging Society: Existential and Positive Psychology Approaches With Transgender Youth

Transgender youth (TY) often face challenges from home, school, and the child welfare system and even through legislation. Messages both explicit and implicit may lead them to suffering, isolation, and even despair. Aspects of existential counseling and positive psychology may assist in reversing the impact of these while promoting meaning-making and flourishing lives. Features of these two approaches will be integrated and demonstrated with a hypothetical TY to show their potential utility.