Guideline #1: "Psychologists understand that gender is a nonbinary construct that allows for a range of gender identities and that a person's gender identity may not align with sex assigned at birth."

• Mental health providers should be informed about TGNC causes and topics in order to provide a non-judgemental space

  • Should have a general understanding as to how to discuss these topics with a client 

• Psychologists should generally be accepting and understanding of trans and non-binary identities

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Based on this guideline, it can expected for therapists/mental health professionals to be comfortable discussing these topics and you should not be expected to explain basic terminology and issues with your mental health provider.  

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Guideline #2: "Psychologists understand that gender identity and sexual orientation are distinct but interrelated constructs."

• There should be a general understanding that gender identity and sexual orientation do not equal one another (ex. someone's transgender identity does not indicate a queer sexual orientation inherently)

  • A discussion on gender identity does not have to directly tie into or lead to a discussion of romantic and sexual relationships if you, as the client, do not wish to​/do not feel that it applies

• Resources provided in mental health services should be trans-inclusive, not simply focused on LGB identities

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Guideline #3: "Psychologists seek to understand how gender identity intersects with the other cultural identities of TGNC people."

• A mental health provider should be comfortable discussing the intersections of various identities (ex. gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc.) and how being trans and/or non-binary relates to these identities

• A provider also should have a general understanding of the stigmas around non-binary identities as well as how moving away from assigned sex at birth can impact individuals based on their position in particular communities 

  • For example, the experience of a black non-binary individual is going to be different due to different gender-based stigmas in comparison to a white non-binary individual​

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Guideline #4: "Psychologists are aware of how their attitudes about the knowledge of gender identity and gender expression may affect the quality of care they provide to TGNC people and their families." 

• Mental health providers are expected to keep up to date on the research relating to gender identity and should be comfortable discussing these topics

  • If a mental health provider s not willing to pursue this research and is not willing to stay up to date with topics relating to gender identity based on their own beliefs and stigmas against TGNC individuals then they are expected to refer you to someone who is willing to give you the most effective and affirmative care. 

You deserve mental health care that is accepting and affirming towards your gender identity, and if they are not willing to do so, then you are not obligated to stay in that therapeutic relationship. 

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Guideline #5: "Psychologists recognize how stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and violence affect the health and well-being of TGNC people."

• A mental health provider should be aware of the stress that being non-binary can lead to because of external, societal factors (including but not limited to: hateful or unaccepting families, physical violence, discrimination in the workplace, etc.)​​

• Mental health providers should also be able to help you to find resources that can address certain types of discrimination such as trans-affirming legal services and affirming religious communities. 

Experiencing discrimination and violence can be terrifying and you are not obligated to share with a mental health provider if it is too painful, but they can be a safe resource to talk through these experiences if you choose to do so. 

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Guideline #6: "Psychologists strive to recognize the influence of institutional barriers on the lives of TGNC people and to assist in developing TGNC-affirmative environments."

• Psychologist offices ideally should have trans-friendly paperwork and resources in their offices

  • If they do not, that does not mean that your identity is any less valued and they are the ones who should be trying to do better and it has nothing to do with you​

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Guideline #7: "Psychologists understand the need to promote social change that reduce the negative effects of stigma on the health and well-being of TGNC people"

• Mental health professionals who are treating TGNC patients should be willing to recognize that social change is necessary in order to better the lives of trans and non-binary folks 

• There should be a general understanding by mental health providers about the legal procedures and documentation that you may go through when medically and socially transitioning, and they should be comfortable talking about this process with you.

  • Additionally, it should not be a surprise to the mental health professional that these processes can be challenging and exhausting for trans and non-binary individuals to go through in a cis-normative society.​

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Guideline #8: "Psychologists working with gender questioning and TGNC youth understand the different developmental needs of children and adolescents, and that not all youth will persist in a TGNC identity into adulthood."

• Psychologists should be keeping up to date with the current research regarding gender identity and children/adolescents. 

• In order to help TGNC young people and their families understand gender identity, mental health providers should be knowledgeable about the current terminologies used in the research and amongst the community. 

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Guideline #9: "Psychologists strive to understand both the particular challenges that TGNC elders experience and the resilience they can develop."

• There should be a general understanding that the experiences and needs of trans and non-binary adults are different from those of TGNC elders. These differences include medical, social, and generational understandings.

• Mental health professionals should also be aware of the generational differences between perceptions of trans identities and should respect one's decision to disclose their trans and/or non-binary identities to others. 

The choice to disclose and be out about your gender identity is your choice alone and a therapist should not try to push you out of your comfort and safety zone as it relates to your outward identity. 

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Guideline #10: "Psychologists strive to understand how mental health concerns may or may not be related to a TGNC person's gender identity and the psychological effects of minority stress."

• A psychologist generally should not assume that one's gender identity is the only element concerning one's mental health and stress levels. Along similar lines, a mental health professional should also not entirely ignore one's TGNC gender identity in speaking about life experiences. 

  • One's gender identity and life experiences are connected ​and should be approached with this understanding. 

• A psychologist should also be able to help through the various bodily and mental changes that can come with starting hormone treatments.

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Guideline #11: "Psychologists recognize that TGNC people are more likely to experience positive life outcomes when they receive social support or trans-affirmative care."

• Mental health providers should recognize the importance of mental health and general health care that is affirming of one's trans and/or non-binary gender identity. 

Accepting and affirming social support is vital to your​ well-being, and a mental health care provider should understand this and be willing to give this to you and help encourage this in your life. 

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Guideline #12: "Psychologists strive to understand the effects that changes in gender identity and gender expression have on the romantic and sexual relationships of TGNC people."

• It is perfectly normal for one's sexual orientation to change or look a little different as they explore their gender identity, and a mental health provider should be willing to work through this with you. 

  • Existing sexual and romantic relationships may also change and this should also be something that a therapist is open to discuss with you.

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Guideline #13: "Psychologists seek to understand how parenting and family formation among TGNC people take a variety of forms."

• Family planning and parenting may adapt and change as one explores their gender identity and a mental health professional should be generally aware of the challenges that the TGNC community faces when it comes to these topics. 

  • This includes, but is not limited to: potential inaccessibility to medical interventions for family planning, general discrimination towards trans/non-binary parents, changing relationships with children, how hormones affect fertility, and safe sex practices. ​

• A mental health professional should also be willing to help you to find trans-friendly reproductive health services and talk through options and frustrations regarding any restrictions you may have faced when starting or continuing a family. 

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Guideline #14: "Psychologists recognize the potential benefits of an interdisciplinary approach when providing care to TGNC people and strive to work collaboratively with other providers." 

• Psychologists should generally be willing to work with other professionals helping you and should be an advocate for you in ensuring that you are being treated in a way that you deserve.

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