The Process of Self-Acceptance of Transgender Individuals Through Narratives and Photos

Abstract

Narrative qualitative research design was used to explore the journey of self-acceptance of three transgender individuals throughout the transition process. The primary research questions of this study were the following: (1) How do transgender individuals experience and express their narrative of self-acceptance? (2) How does their level of acceptance in the family and society impact their self-acceptance narrative? Research sub-questions included: (3) How does counseling impact transgender individuals’ self-acceptance throughout the transition process; and (4) What was helpful or unhelpful in counseling? The analysis of narratives through interview and a narrative photo project revealed six superordinate themes that participants shared throughout their process of self-acceptance: (1) Awareness and Self-Discovery, (2) Family Acceptance Levels, (3) Shift in Worldview, (4) Counseling Impact, (5) Influence of Geographical Location, (6) Living in the Ambiguity. A discussion, implications for counselors, and areas of future research are provided.

Keywords:

• Counseling
• LGBTQ issues
• narrative
• qualitative research
• transgender