A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care: Working With Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Clients

A Note from Dr. Sand:

My colleagues Drs. Anneliese Singh and lore dickey wrote this book because we recognized a need for accessible, up-to-date, culturally-response information for mental health providers working with trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-nonconforming clients. Because much of trans health care is approached from a white, cis-centric lens, we felt strongly that a book on this topic should be written by people with lived experience of being trans and/or nonbinary. We wrote this book with the intention of it being a comprehensive resource that outlines research and recommendations for best practices in clinical care. Knowing the reality of living in a world full of anti-trans bias (including within health care) that no individual therapy can fix or solve, I knew this book would be in line with harm reduction. We included reflection questions with the hopes that readers would engage in examining their own biases and experiences, not just view trans experiences as something to “specialize” in. Informed consent and supporting bodily autonomy are key values that permeate the content of the book.

Editorial Reviews

  • “Packed with a wealth of case studies, historical facts, and actionable recommendations, A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care is a powerful actualization of the authors’ commitments to creating trans justice. Chang, Singh, and dickey go beyond simply compiling information to create a compelling, deeply empathetic, and effective resource that bridges the gap between helping professionals and the trans communities they serve. A must-read for all aspiring trans allies and coconspirators!”

    Lily Zheng, diversity consultant, and coauthor of Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace

  • “This unprecedented resource for clinicians and service providers seeking to deepen their analysis of gender and capacity to provide care to trans people is accessible, reflective, complex, thorough, and practical. A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care situates trans mental health care in a sociopolitical context requiring practitioners to contend with the medical and mental health systems’ ability to perniciously perpetuate structural violence. Finally, a comprehensive resource that gives clinicians a road map to be in deep solidarity with trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people who deserve access to care rooted in dignity and justice.”

    Erica Woodland, MSW, LCSW, healing justice practitioner, psychotherapist, consultant, and founding director of the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

  • “As healers, we are taking on a major responsibility when we devote ourselves to helping others. It can be such an enormous gift, but it’s profoundly important that we fill our souls with the best tools to meet our clients’ needs. It’s time for a paradigm shift, and this book provides a path to freedom from the shackles of transphobia that will revolutionize your healing practice.”

    Danielle Castro, MA, MFT, research director at the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, and the Division of Prevention Science at University of California, San Francisco

Additional Reviews from Amazon

  • "As a clinician and a trans person I want to shout 'Get This Book!' The best one out there that I’ve seen so far. I love the chapters, the focus on intersectionality, the in depth questions at end of each chapter and the case study examples. Well thought out. Well done!"

  • "Comprehensive, evidence-based, and written by psychologists with clear expertise. I am a trans psychologist and train others in this work. This is my first recommendation to clinicians."

  • "This text is logically laid out and user friendly. I am not a stranger to this population or their strengths/concerns, and yet found myself learning a thing or two. The case studies are helpful. I also appreciate the gender diversity of its authors (which is so important!!)."