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No, you're trying to box it as conversion therapy. I'm just talking about therapy. Not conversion therapy, not gender affirmation therapy. I think it's wrong t

No, you're trying to box it as conversion therapy. I'm just talking about therapy. Not conversion therapy, not gender affirmation therapy. I think it's wrong to assume a person has a misguided view about their own gender (the position of conversion therapists), but I also think it's wrong to assume they don't (the position of GAT). In order to understand a person's ability to judge their own gender (especially an impressionable teenager who does not have all of their mental faculties fully developed), we have to understand any other factors which may have an effect on their feelings. This is not advocating for them to remain their gender at birth, nor is it advocating for them to "be what they feel." It's about understanding why they feel the way they do, and helping them recognize any trauma which may impact their feelings one way or the other. I recognize this is a high bar for therapists because even well meaning people like yourself can't seem to grasp the nuance.

heavyset_go 4y ago
Doctors give assessments based on a patient's experiences, symptoms, histories that include trauma, these things are discussed and examined. Gender dysphoria is a diagnosable condition with defined criteria of symptoms. > but I also think it's wrong to assume they don't (the position of GAT). In order to understand a person's ability to judge their own gender (especially an impressionable teenager who does not have all of their mental faculties fully developed), we have to understand any other factors which may have an effect on their feelings. I'm not sure why you don't think this happens, and it seems to come from a weird strawman or misunderstanding of what gender therapy is, given that all of those things are explored in gender therapy. > What gender therapy isn’t > A gender therapist shouldn’t attempt to diagnose you because of your identity or try to change your mind. > A gender therapist should provide information and support that can help you better understand and connect with core aspects of yourself. > Gender therapists don’t subscribe to the idea that there’s a “right way” to experience, embody, or express gender. > They shouldn’t limit or presume treatment options or goals based on the labels or language used to describe yourself. > Gender therapy should focus on supporting your personal experience of self and relationship with your body. > A gender therapist should never presume your gender, force you into a gender, or attempt to convince you that you’re not a particular gender There are plenty of people who are questioning their sexualities and genders, many of them will not turn out to be LGBT, and there isn't an epidemic of therapists encouraging confused people to think that they're gay or trans. I wouldn't say that's a neutral position for a therapist either, it's a bit like saying that if a patient were bleeding from a hole in their leg that the neutral position would be forgoing a tourniquet in favor of questioning whether they even need blood in the first place. Neutral therapists would acknowledge that gender therapy exists, along with plenty of other options, and would help their patients receive the care that's appropriate for them. [1] https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/gender-therapy#what-it-isnt https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/gender-therapy...

heavyset_go 4y ago

Doctors give assessments based on a patient's experiences, symptoms, histories that include trauma, these things are discussed and examined. Gender dysphoria is a diagnosable condition with defined criteria of symptoms. > but I also think it's wrong to assume they don't (the position of GAT). In order to understand a person's ability to judge their own gender (especially an impressionable teenager who does not have all of their mental faculties fully developed), we have to understand any other factors which may have an effect on their feelings. I'm not sure why you don't think this happens, and it seems to come from a weird strawman or misunderstanding of what gender therapy is, given that all of those things are explored in gender therapy. > What gender therapy isn’t > A gender therapist shouldn’t attempt to diagnose you because of your identity or try to change your mind. > A gender therapist should provide information and support that can help you better understand and connect with core aspects of yourself. > Gender therapists don’t subscribe to the idea that there’s a “right way” to experience, embody, or express gender. > They shouldn’t limit or presume treatment options or goals based on the labels or language used to describe yourself. > Gender therapy should focus on supporting your personal experience of self and relationship with your body. > A gender therapist should never presume your gender, force you into a gender, or attempt to convince you that you’re not a particular gender There are plenty of people who are questioning their sexualities and genders, many of them will not turn out to be LGBT, and there isn't an epidemic of therapists encouraging confused people to think that they're gay or trans. I wouldn't say that's a neutral position for a therapist either, it's a bit like saying that if a patient were bleeding from a hole in their leg that the neutral position would be forgoing a tourniquet in favor of questioning whether they even need blood in the first place. Neutral therapists would acknowledge that gender therapy exists, along with plenty of other options, and would help their patients receive the care that's appropriate for them. [1] https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/gender-therapy#what-it-isnt https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/gender-therapy...