Australian mental health professionals’ competencies for working with trans clients: a comparative study

Riggs, Damien W.; Bartholomaeus, Clare

doi:10.1080/19419899.2016.1189452

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Many studies throughout the literature have shown the lack of training for clinicians in transgender healthcare (Vance et al . 2015; Riggs & Bartholomaeus, 2016; Torres et al . 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and confidence of clinicians in Irish CAMHS when working with transgender youth; and the factors clinicians report will assist them in this work

Hodgins

Byrne

Spies

et al. 2020

Ir. j. psychol. Med.

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Objectives: The Health Service Executive (HSE) Quality Improvement Division (2016) report states that young people who identify as transgender are one of the highest risk groups for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and completed suicides and may require significant input in Irish Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This research represents the first exploration of CAMHS staff’s capacity within an Irish mental health service to support transgender youth by considering their knowledge about and confidence in working with these youth. Method: A multi-method design was used to evaluate the knowledge and confidence levels of CAMHS clinicians in supporting transgender youth and to identify what factors would enable them to conduct this work. A questionnaire and a survey about supporting transgender youth were distributed to all clinicians in five Irish-based CAMHS services (N = 71), using an online platform. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six clinicians. Quantitative, content, and thematic analyses were performed. Results: CAMHS staff reported limited knowledge and experience about supporting transgender youth. Findings indicated that both of these factors undermined their confidence in supporting these youths. Clinicians expressed a need for additional clinical education delivered through expert consultation, presentations, and learning from ‘experts by experience’. Conclusion: CAMHS clinicians need and want further clinical education about supporting transgender youth and their families. Recommendations are made for enhancing the knowledge, confidence, and competence of CAMHS clinicians using methods identified as acceptable by clinicians, in order to best support these youths.

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“…Many studies throughout the literature have shown the lack of training for clinicians in transgender healthcare (Vance et al . 2015; Riggs & Bartholomaeus, 2016; Torres et al . 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and confidence of clinicians in Irish CAMHS when working with transgender youth; and the factors clinicians report will assist them in this work

Hodgins

Byrne

Spies

et al. 2020

Ir. j. psychol. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This mirrors findings in research concerning the experiences of LGB individuals in therapy (Bepko & Johnson, 2000). Given that many transgender people will experience mental health problems (Bouman et al, 2017; Price‐Fenney et al, 2020; Yang et al, 2015) and seek help from a therapist, and the reported dissatisfaction with mental health professionals (McCann & Sharek, 2016; Rees et al, 2021; Snow et al, 2019), this review adds to literature highlighting the importance of education and training for practitioners in transgender issues (e.g., Riggs & Bartholomaeus, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

What are the relationship experiences of in which one member identifies as transgender? A systematic review and meta‐ethnography

Gunby

Butler

2022

Journal of Family Therapy

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Transgender individuals and their partners may face unique challenges that other couples do not. These unique challenges merit investigation, understanding and consideration by systemic practitioners in order to provide a culturally attuned service for transgender clients. A systematic review of the literature into the experiences of couples in which one member is transgender identified 22 qualitative papers. A translation and synthesis of constructs from these papers utilising a meta‐ethnographic approach generated a number of third order constructs organised into nine overarching themes. These themes included experiences of stigma and discrimination, issues of power, privilege, visibility and identity, and experiences of dissonance and dysphoria that required adjustments and negotiations on the personal and relationship levels. Implications for practice and avenues for future research are discussed.

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“…Incomplete surveys had less than two demographic questions answered and were therefore not included in analysis of the results. Whilst the number of all youth gender diversity specialists in Australia, including private practitioners is unknown, the number is thought to be growing (Riggs & Bartholomaeus, ). The low response rate is therefore not generalisable.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Specialist Youth Gender Diversity Services in Australia: A Whole‐of‐Family Approach

Westwater

Riley

Peterson

2019

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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The number of referrals for children and young people seeking to affirm their gender has risen exponentially in Australia and elsewhere. Whilst the individual mental health needs and treatment outcomes for this group have been the subject of recent research, considerably less emphasis has been placed on exploring and amalgamating individual family member experiences, particularly siblings, using circular questioning. Yet, gender diversity is known to affect everyone in the family, and research clearly demonstrates that youth who feel validated and supported by individual family members in their gender identities benefit from improved mental health and global outcomes. This study aims to explore current clinical practices, professional viewpoints, use of circular questioning, and whole‐of‐family involvement in specialist youth gender diversity services in Australia. Clinical leads and coordinators of publicly funded youth gender diversity services and individual specialists across Australia were invited to complete an online survey, exploring individual protocols and practices in relation to involving the family, and the rationale underpinning this. All six respondents agreed that adopting a systemic understanding, considering general family functioning, and seeking individual family member opinions, was critical. Nevertheless, all family members were infrequently seen, with resourcing issues and time constraints being cited as the main reasons. The value of adopting a systemic and whole‐of‐family line of enquiry was supported by all respondents. Whilst sibling viewpoints were considered valuable by most professionals, siblings were infrequently seen for a variety of reasons. Further attention could therefore be given to involving siblings during specialist assessments. The findings consistently highlighted the value of a systemic line of enquiry and whole‐of‐family approach for gender diversity services and specialists. However, no current assessment guidelines incorporate this as a recommendation. Therefore, future Australian guidelines could formalise a systemic approach.

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Australian mental health professionals’ competencies for working with trans clients: a comparative study

Cited by 28 publications

References 23 publications

Knowledge and confidence of clinicians in Irish CAMHS when working with transgender youth; and the factors clinicians report will assist them in this work

Knowledge and confidence of clinicians in Irish CAMHS when working with transgender youth; and the factors clinicians report will assist them in this work

What are the relationship experiences of in which one member identifies as transgender? A systematic review and meta‐ethnography

A Survey of Specialist Youth Gender Diversity Services in Australia: A Whole‐of‐Family Approach

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