Translating the Sex and Gender Continuums in Mental Health: A Transfeminist Approach to Client and Clinician Fears

This paper expounds on the training developed for the GLAP Trans Symposium by Shannon Sennott and Tones Smith. This article addresses the stigmatization and pathologization of trans- and gender-nonconforming people by medical providers and therapists (Sennott, 2011). It is intended to aid in the development of personal best practices for clinicians who work with trans- and gender-nonconforming individuals. The authors introduce the transfeminist therapeutic approach, the Identity Continuums, the Transfeminist Qualitative Assessment Tool (TQAT) (Sennott, 2011), and the Allyship Practice Model (APM) (Sennott, 2011). The article explores countertransference, fears, and concerns of clinicians who provide physical and mental health services to differently gendered people. It also examines transphobia, misogyny, and homophobia, which can create barriers in a therapeutic relationship.