Strategies for working with families and loved ones of trans individuals

Those of us who specialize in working with the queer community and particularly the transgender community, are often faced with helping our clients come out to family members and loved ones. With that comes some navigation of family dynamics and an attempt to educate others while honouring themselves.

It can often be extremely beneficial for family members or loved ones to join the client in session to help facilitate coming out, educate the family, or discuss what all parties need moving forward.

This training aims to assist professionals in working with existing clients and their families as they navigate this difficult and often treacherous territory in a way that honours your client while also expressing compassion and understanding for the impact on family members.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the complexities and feelings of family members when their loved ones transition or come out as transgender
• Understand the complexities of cultural and family dynamics and how these may shift when a family member transitions
• Learn strategies to work with those who may display or express transphobia during sessions
• Learn to balance honouring your client in their transition while also displaying compassion and understanding for those close to them

Prerequisite: Participants should have some experience working with 2SLGBTQIA+ populations and knowledge of terminology.