Group Therapy Program for Families with Transgender Member: Propelling Gender Differentiation

This study explored impacts of a newly developed gender affirmative Group Therapy Program informed by Bowen Family Therapy approach (Bowen, 1978) for transgender individuals and their families (BFTTG). All transgender participants met criteria of gender dysphoria classified by DSM-V (DSM-V, 2014). The recent research of gender dysphoria shows that the process of transitioning is accompanied by anxiety, depression, self-mutilating, and high rate of suicide attempts (Dargie, Blair, Pukall, & Coyle, 2014; Craig, Austin, & McInroy, 2014; Singh & Burnes, 2009; Levitt & Ippolito, 2014; Mitchell, Ybarra, & Korchmaros, 2014; Meier, Motmans, Ponnet, & T’Sipen, 2012). Involvement and support of family in this process is crucial and it is a predictor of successful transition and life satisfaction (Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2010; Hill, Menvielle, Sica, & Johnson, 2010). We have no evidence of any research regarding a structured group therapy program for this at-risk population with the whole family system (parents, guardians, youths and their siblings) involved. The Group Therapy Program (BFTTG) was predicted to be effective for these families. The program was examined on transgender individuals and their family members who were monthly attending BFTTG. The total sample consisted of 22 participants. The results showed the newly developed program helped to mobilize social support in family and related social groups. Length of participants’ attendance in the group was related to decrease of anxiety in participants. Themes of the Group Program were also associated with improved level of life satisfaction perceived by participants.