Affirming Solutions: Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy With Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Gender Questioning Youth

Abstract

Given the growing number of young people presenting to therapy for gender-related concerns, and the growing social awareness of non-binary understandings of gender, it is incumbent upon therapists to improve their own understandings of gender, to gain familiarity with research on gender identity, and to learn to work with clients who present for gender-related concerns. One model of working with transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender questioning adolescents and children, is affirming solutions therapy. This article reviews previously suggested models of therapy for working with gender minorities and discusses the appropriateness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) with affirmative therapy.