Continuing Education Workshop at the Philadelphia Transgender Health Conference Description:

The conceptual and diagnostic shift in the DSM-5 from “gender identity disorder” to “gender dysphoria” represents a step towards the de-pathologization of persons with gender variant experience. It also offers clinicians an opportunity to assess and treat an experienced phenomenon – gender dysphoria - instead of assessing identity. The goal of therapeutic work becomes helping young transgender persons experience a reduction in dysphoric symptoms without imposing a category on them. This session helps participants learn how dysphoria differs from other clinical presentations that some think explain “gender role confusion.” How to assess the various meanings of cross-dressing and cross-play in children are described. Because many clinicians are aware that transgender adolescents are vulnerable to self-harm and suicide the session covers the current research on both the risk and protective factors that impact transgender youth. Using the Standards of Care, Version 7, (SOC7) of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) we explain how to assess when a child or adolescent might be ready for medical interventions such as hormone-blocking therapy, hormone replacement therapy and perhaps even surgery. Ethical issues such as autonomy, informed consent and how to assess co-occurring conditions are addressed. Rationales for beginning medical intervention before the age of majority are offered. Specific clinical strategies for family work are described and case material is shared.