Table 3.

Clinical Recommendations for Family Therapists Working with Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth and Their Families

1. Provide caregivers with psychoeducation on gender diversity, gender identity development, medical and social interventions, youth and family resilience.

2. Provide caregivers space for their own process, including negative, neutral and positive reactions such as grief, fear, loss, surprise, sadness, joy, relief, gratitude, desire to support and advocate.

3. Frame family acceptance and engagement as youth protective factor.

4. Use multiple modalities and interventions flexibly: work with families all together, work separately with caregivers, siblings and youth, groups and community gatherings.

5. Facilitate access to advocacy and training supporting allyship in extended family and community, including training for schools, places of faith, caregiver's workplace, etc.

6. Connect with community of peers, youth and adults, including other families, support groups, community-based resources to increase connection and reduce isolation.

7. Center intersectional and contextual approaches including race, class, religion, legal statuses in all dimensions of care and services.