Transgender Resources for MFTs

AAMFT recognizes the adverse effects of anti-transgender legislation on the livelihood of the transgender and gender diverse community, including depression, increased suicide and attempted suicide, and fewer safe, inclusive spaces to thrive. Marriage and family therapists have an active and affirming role with transgender and gender diverse clients, supporting them throughout their journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and transition. Further, MFTs have occupied an integral role in supporting these individuals within their family systems, facilitating enriching, stable relationships that are fundamental to their well-being.
Evan Thomas (He/Him), PhD, LMFT, Chair of QTAN, urges MFTs to join community-based efforts to challenge discriminatory bills in their states to protect the emotional health of trans*, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth and adults.
"As systemically trained therapists, it is our ethical duty to provide evidenced-based practices when working with Trans* and Queer clients, to advocate for systemic injustices, and ensure that as MFTs, we can create a space that allows clients to show up as their authentic selves. Current bills being proposed throughout the country challenge this ability, AAMFT’s ethical codes, and the safety of our clients. It is important for MFTs to stay informed and advocate to ensure that we can provide best practices. Additionally, as queer and trans* therapists, we need allies to collaborate and advocate for our ability to be seen, heard, and treated with equality in and out of the therapy room.” 
 

AAMFT has recently formed an LGBTQIA+ advocacy workgroup to advocate on issues impacting Trans* and Queer clients and share information with AAMFT members on LGBTQIA+ advocacy issues. Click here to learn more about QTAN and join the AAMFT Family Team to get involved with advocacy. 

Legal Issues

Many therapists have been contacting AAMFT with questions and concerns about how these laws may impact their ability to provide care for their clients.

As AAMFT’s attorneys continue to review these laws and monitor the judicial developments as they unfold, this page will be updated. In the meantime, we encourage members with specific questions regarding their practice to contact AAMFT’s Legal and Ethics team for a consultation.

Standards of Care and Guidelines

American Medical Association Standards of Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse People


World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8


Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth is Neither New nor Experimental: A Timeline and Compilation of Study, by Julia Serano


AAMFT Clinical Guidelines for LGBTQIA-Affirming Marriage and Family Therapy

Organizations

National Center for Transgender Equality


GLAAD


Transgender Law Center

The Trevor Project


American Bar Association


Data

Human Rights Campaign: Gender-Affirming Care Bans Impacting Youth


American Civil Liberties: Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures


Williams Institute: How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States

Report of the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey
 

Resources and Learning


Gender Trauma: Healing Cultural, Social, and Historical Gendered Trauma


How to Understand Your Gender: A practical guide for exploring who you are


Life Isn’t Binary: On being both, beyond, and in-between


Mapping Your Sexuality: From Sexual Orientation to Sexual Configurations Theory  


AAMFT: Gender Identity


AAMFT Family Therapy Magazine:


Affirmative Therapy with Trans and Gender Expansive (TGE) Youth and Their Parents


What’s in a Name? The Power of Professional Pronouns


Hate Crimes Against Transgender People


Family Member Transgender Disclosures


Unpacking Femininity: Supporting Trans Feminine Clients and Inhibiting Clinical Bias


Let’s Talk About Trans Sex 

The Power of Coming “Out”: Creating Safe Spaces for Young People to be Themselves

Creating Systemic Change Through a Social Justice Lens: Steps to Make Impactful Changes

LGBTQ Boomers, AIDS, and COVID-19


Published research in AAMFT JMFT:

The effect of gender identity change efforts on Black, Latinx, and White transgender and gender nonbinary adults: implications for ethical clinical practice

“We’re just two people in a relationship”: A qualitative exploration of emotional bond and fairness experiences between transgender women and their cisgender partners

Clinical and Supervisory Considerations for Transgender Therapists: Implications for Working with Clients

Deconstructing cissexism: The journey of becoming an affirmative family therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients

Shedding Light on Thirteen Years of Darkness: Content Analysis of Articles Pertaining to Transgender Issues in Marriage/Couple and Family Therapy Journals

Emotional worlds colliding: A qualitative exploration of the emotional experiences of transgender and cisgender women in romantic relationships during transition

Therapy with Transsexual Youth and Their Families: A Clinical Tool for Assessing Youth’s Readiness for Gender Transition

What Does “Couple” Mean in Couple Therapy Outcome Research? A Systematic Review of the Implicit and Explicit, Inclusion and Exclusion of Gender and Sexual Minority Individuals and Identities

Sexual Minority Adults: A National Survey on Depression, Religious Fundamentalism, Parent Relationship Quality & Acceptance 

Family-of-origin rejection on suicidal ideation among a sexual minority sample  


AAMFT Statements


AAMFT Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation


AAMFT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Statement

Statement on Texas Anti-Transgender Directive

Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation