Title of Submission
Building an Affirmative Counseling Practice for the Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Communities
Degree Program
Counselor Education, MA
Major Advisor Name
Regina Moro
Type of Submission
Scholarly Poster
Abstract
Mental health care has become increasingly important in our society in recent years, especially in the Transgender and gender non-conforming community. 40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide during their lifetime and 75% of transgender and gender non-conforming youth feel unsafe at school. Rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and poverty are also higher in this population. Mental health counselors must build an affirmative practice before counseling individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. The presenter is earning a masters degree in counseling and has extensively studied the mental health issues and needs of this population during her education.