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This study explored the therapeutic alliance and satisfaction between transgender clients and their therapists. The design was qualitative and heuristically based. Seven transgendered participants who had lived full-time as their non-natal gender for at least three months and who had spent at least the majority of a course of therapy discussing their current gender identity were recruited. Interviews were semistructured, and each was transcribed verbatim. Three levels of coding were used for analysis: seven individual depictions in narrative form, a single composite depiction bringing together similarities between the experiences of the participants, and a single exemplary depiction of critical themes. Results suggest that the participants did not experience many of the heterosexist, sexist, and pathologizing biases described in previous studies. Rather, they described supportive and affirming relationships with their therapists. Some participants had had negative experiences with previous therapists. Participants called for further training and education for therapists and other helping professionals. Implications for theory, research, practice, and policy are explored.
Bess et al. (Wed,) studied this question.