Gender (Dis)Agreement: A Dialogue on the Clinical Implications of Gendered Language

Abstract

In order for one to fully express oneself and symbolize one's experience in psychotherapy, one requires language which will fit that experience. Individuals living outside the gender binary are forced to use language and grammar which resists acknowledging their existence and experience. This paper will focus on theoretical and clinical implications of present language barriers to expressing a gender-nonconforming life in treatment as well as the clinician's function in expanding the patient's vocabulary. This will include a dialogue on how the lack of language can contribute to feelings of illegitimacy and alienation and can act as a stumbling block to treatment instead of the means of creating recognition, understanding and meaning.

KEYWORDS:

• transgender
• psychotherapy
• language
• gender, recognition