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Published on: February 16, 2011
Individual Affirming Care: Psychological and Social Approaches to Trans and Gender-Diverse Youth
Erin L Belfort1, Brandy Brown2
1Maine Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 66 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102, USA.
Abstract:
Clinicians working with youth encounter transgender and gender-diverse youth and play a role in supporting the psychological and social well-being of youth and their families. Mental health clinicians start with a thorough assessment, development of a biopsychosocial formulation of the youth, and a collaborative treatment plan. Determining if the youth meets diagnostic criteria for Gender Dysphoria and identifying comorbid mental health diagnoses inform recommendations for psychiatric medication management, individual and/or family therapy interventions, and/or referrals to medical or surgical colleagues. Supporting development of a coherent identity narrative and healthy interpersonal attachments with others is an important goal of treatment interventions.
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