67th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 27

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 12

'Living in the Middle': Themes of Ambivalence in a Transgender Support Group--Sustaining our World

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA Diversity SIG and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues SIG

Presenters:

Rebecca K. Goldstein, B.A., Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Reginald Nettles, Ph.D., Private Practice, Columbia, Maryland
Hilary D. Roscoe, B.A., M.Ed., Graduate Student, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Healthy 'transgender' identity development and associated ambivalences will be explored through the experience of leading a support group for male-to-female transgender adults. Key concepts and controversies will be presented and resources for further study will be identified. Transference and countertransference issues for group members, leaders, observers and consultant will be considered.

Learning Objectives:
The attendees will be able to:
1. Describe psychological perspectives on differences between gender identity and sexual orientation.
2. Discuss diversity within the transgender population.
3. Identify manifestations of ambivalence associated with transitions in transgender identity development.
4. Differentiate between support groups and psychotherapy groups.
5. Discuss ambivalence in the transferences and counter transferences between group members, leaders and consultant associated with working with transgender individuals.

Course References:
American Psychological Association (2008). Report of the task force on gender identity and gender variance. www.agpa.org/pi/lgbc/transgender/2008TaskForceReport.pdf

Korell, S.C. and Lorah, P. (2006). An overview of affirmative psychotherapy and counseling with transgender clients, In K.J. Bieschke, R.M. Perez, and K.A. DeBord (Eds.). The handbook of psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients, 271-288.

Lev, A.I. (2004). Transgender emergence: Therapeutic guidelines for working with gender-variant people and their families. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Clinical Practice Press.

Mason-Schrock, D., (1996). Transsexuals narrative construction of the ‘True Self’. Social Psychology Quarterly, 39 (3), 176-192.