Conversion Therapy and Transphobia for Trans Youth (1 CE)

Number of Credits:  1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Joel Austin, PharmD

Content By: Ashley, F. (2020). Homophobia, conversion therapy, and care models for trans youth: defending the gender-affirmative approach. Journal of LGBT Youth, 17:4, 361-383. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19361653.2019.1665610

Course Description: In recent years, gender-affirmative therapy has been one of the main treatment modalities among behavioral and mental health professionals. However, opponents of this approach have argued that it bears homophobic roots and could be tantamount to conversion therapy for trans youth.  The attached article discusses this theory and debates whether or not there is any validity to this argument.  The author of the current article argues that this theory is incorrect and relies on several forms of evidence to argue this position. First, the author argues there is no proof that social or medical transition is motivated by homophobia.  Furthermore, transphobia remains more prevalent than homophobia despite the social progresses of the last decade.  By contextualizing conversion therapy to trans youth care, the study hopes to show that conversion therapy has actually long focused on preventing transgender youth from growing up trans.  The study also offers possible avenues of treatment for this population moving forward.   

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the aim of the study and the methods related to the various treatment modalities available to transgender youth and how transphobic/homophobic sentiments may have caused bias in therapy.
2. Compare gender-affirmative therapy and conversion therapy to contextualize whether or not detractors from gender-affirmative therapy have any merit to their argument.
3. Assess current transgender mental health and pontificate on possible treatment avenues moving forward for an increasingly afflicted population.

Course Outline:  

• Read and understand Homophobia, conversion therapy, and care models for trans youth: defending the gender-affirmative approach
• Review the Course Descriptions and Learning Objectives
• Consider the factors related to gender-affirming therapy for trans individuals and other techniques used to treat patients from an immensely at-risk population for mental health outcomes
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Re-assess for any missed questions, returning to the referenced article to better understand the relationship between homophobic/transphobic issues and adequate mental healthcare.

Approvals: