When “Coming Out” is (Even More) Complicated: Considerations for Therapists Helping TGNB Emerging Adults Navigate Conversations about Gender with Family

ABSTRACT

Psychotherapists working with TGNB (transgender and nonbinary) emerging adults can play a supportive role in helping these clients navigate options around sharing their gender identities with family members. The authors draw from clinical experience, research on the impact of family support/rejection on TGNB individuals, and critiques of prescriptive “coming out” narratives based on white, cisgender expectations to underscore considerations for therapists working with clients who plan to talk to their parent/s or other family members. In addition, the authors present fictional case vignettes in order to apply these considerations and explore the importance of clients’ cultural contexts. Finally, the authors discuss resources that may be of use to both clients and their families.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender
• nonbinary
• gender expansive
• multiple identities
• coming out
• parents
• families
• emerging adults
• international
• first generation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.