Non-binary identities and experiences have become increasingly visible in recent years. When young people identify with a gender under the non-binary umbrella, it can be challenging for caregivers and/or therapists to understand what this means and what their experiences might be.
In this clip from Understanding Non-binary Identities and Experiences: A Conversation, Dr. Alex Iantaffi and Dr. Sarah Burgamy, who teaches gender diversity in counseling here at Academy of Therapy Wisdom, provide insight for the challenges faced by some parents in supporting a child, teen, or adult undergoing changes in their expression of gender identity.
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Non-binary Identity Myths for Therapists, a Conversation
This conversation will soon be available in its entirety in our new on-demand bonus library. Here, Alex and Sarah, clinical experts in mental health and gender, talk about some of the myths and misconceptions around non-binary identities and experiences within the therapy setting. By the end of the session, you will hopefully feel more comfortable with talking about non-binary identities and expressions with both young people and their families.
Gender Identity Conversation Video Clip Transcript:
…And then we sort of weigh it out. Right? It’s I think a lot of times that challenge of this is hard. It’s sort of like I’m being in some way put upon or inconvenienced and that feels really difficult because they have a lot going on in my life and I feel like that’s absolutely right.
We all have a lot going on and then you have to weigh inconvenience against respect and being seen and having that that sort of just reverence for someone’s personhood. I love preach there. No, I love that when I work with young people – that absolutely happens with parents and caregivers. You know, “This is hard,” or “I’m confused because they change kind of their pronouns every day or they change their appearance every day.”
And so yeah, absolutely what you said and also kind of helping parents and caregivers understand that if their younger person feels like they’re changing pronouns or name or appearance every day, they created a safe enough environment where they can do that.
So I always start from the positive, “Well, I am so pleased to hear that you’ve created an environment where your young person can explore freely their gender identity and their gender expressions. So first of all, just want to congratulate you as caregivers for this young person for creating this safe environment for them.”
Right? So I always as a family therapist always like to acknowledge the strength in a family. Right there is strength. There is love – even with the parents who are finding it difficult to accept their trans or nonbinary kids.
Join FREE video of Sarah Burgamy, Psy.D.
When Your Client is Non-binary: Gender Diversity for Therapists
In this webinar, you will learn about:
What pronoun do you use for a non-binary person? Understand the significance behind each choice and the validation it offers.
Non-binary therapy strategies that cater specifically to non-binary clients, ensuring their experiences are validated and their needs addressed.
Nonbinary client psychotherapy with real-world examples, offering therapists tangible solutions and techniques.
Sarah Burgamy and Alex Iantaffi
Sarah Burgamy, Psy.D., is the founder of a private practice in Denver, Colorado, PhoenixRISE, with specialty offerings in identity development (considering intersections of target and non-target status identities), sexual minority competency, as well as transgender and gender diverse issues with adults, adolescents, and children. Dr. Burgamy has previously worked as a founding integrated psychologist in the TRUE Center for Gender Diversity at Children’s Hospital Colorado (2017-2020). Dr. Burgamy previously served as the Colorado Representative to the American Psychological Association (APA) Council of Representatives (2014-2019) and as a member, and 2019 chair, of the APA Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (2017-2019). She is a Past-President of Colorado Psychological Association and has previously served as the diversity division chair of CPA. Dr. Burgamy currently serves on the Advisory Committee for the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology at APA.
Alex Iantaffi, Ph.D., MS, SEP, CST, LMFT is a writer, family therapist, WPATH certified gender specialist, certified sex therapist, Somatic ExperiencingⓇ practitioner, clinical supervisor, and independent scholar. Alex is a transmasculine, nonbinary, bi queer, disabled, Italian immigrant who currently lives on the Dakota and Anishinaabe territories known as Minneapolis, MN (US). Alex is currently the Chair of the Trans and Queer interest network of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and President-Elect of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT), and is the author of Gender Trauma, and co-author with Dr. Meg-John Barker of Life Isn’t Binary and How to Understand Your Gender.
