Foster Care Training

Virtual Instructor Led Training

This workshop explores play with transgender and non-binary youth and their families and other care providers in the community. The presenter examines the social construction of gender, analyzes gender belief systems, and analyzes the psychological reasons for creating gender categories, what gender is, and gender terminology. The presenter then explores the use of pronouns, gender diverse behavior/expression, diagnostic criteria, comorbidity, discrimination, what gender dysphoria feels like, myths, conversion therapy, and what clinicians need to promote in their practices. The presentation then focuses on the skills and tools needed to work with individual transgender and non-binary youth, grieving caregivers, and families.

The presentation explores body image in regard to gender dysphoria, coming out in session, and the support clinicians can provide to their clients when they choose to come out in session. The presenter then provides information about medical transitions, clinical letters, how to find legal resources and other community resources. Finally, the presenter discusses the importance of being an ally and support system for transgender and non-binary youth, their families, and other care providers. The presenter discusses clinical tools such as gender diverse bibliotherapy, play activities with transgender and non-binary youth and their families, and fabricated case studies with corresponding play activities.

Handouts include references, a resource list for caregivers, a feelings list, a letter about clinical responsibilities by Gerard Lawson, a bibliotherapy book guide, and a form letter for hormone blockers and HRT.