How You Can Better Work with Trans Clients with Dr. Stephanie Budge

Dan is joined by Dr. Stephanie Budge, Professor and the Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Counseling Psychology and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In this conversation, Dr. Budge discusses her journey into the field of psychology, focusing on bisexuality and the need for better mental health support for trans individuals. She shares her experiences in academia, the challenges faced in researching LGBTQ+ topics, and the importance of trans affirmative therapy. Dan and Dr. Budge discuss essential terminology, the ethical considerations in therapy, and practical advice for therapists working with trans clients, emphasizing the need for understanding, practice, and balance in therapeutic relationships.
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Special Guest: Dr. Stephanie Budge

Practice with Pronouns
(https://www.practicewithpronouns.com/...)
World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care
(https://wpath.org/)
GALUP: The Gender Affirming Letter Access Project
(https://www.thegalap.org/home)
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0:00 Introduction to the Episode
0:45 How Dr. Budge Got Into Studying Trans Mental Health
2:10 The Eye-Opening Conversation That Changed Her Career Path
5:00 Understanding Key Terms: Trans, Two-Spirit, and Nonbinary
8:51 What Does "Cisgender" Mean?
10:08 Challenges and Support in Academia for Trans-Focused Research
13:10 Studying Psychotherapy for Trans and Nonbinary Clients
14:49 What is Transgender Affirmative Therapy?
19:01 Common Therapist Mistakes When Working With Trans Clients
21:44 The Impact of Therapist Anxiety in Sessions
24:00 How Therapists Can Get More Comfortable With Gender-Affirming Practices
26:49 Addressing Mistakes: Apologizing Without Overemphasizing
29:07 Balancing Gender Discussions in Therapy
31:12 Closing Thoughts

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Keywords

#mentalhealth #therapy #psychotherapy #personalizedtreatment #process #emotionalhealth #client #research #podcast #psychology #researchinsights #trans #transgender #affirmative #affirmativetherapy


Takeaways
Trans affirmative therapy is essential for improving mental health
Understanding and using correct terminology is crucial in therapy.
Cisgender therapists must navigate when working with trans clients.
Academic environments can be unsupportive of LGBTQ+ research.
Therapists should practice using new names and pronouns
Overemphasizing or underemphasizing gender in therapy can be problematic.
Trans clients expect some mistakes but appreciate genuine efforts to learn.
Therapists should focus on the client's needs rather than their own anxieties.

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Producer: Mack Britton Productions