title: Beyond the Binary: Trans-Negotiations in Couple and Family Therapy.
abstract: Dualistic notions about gender and sexuality have permeated the field of couple and family therapy. These binary constructions have been limiting for everyone, especially those who fall outside the male/female dichotomy. This article examines the impact of these binary notions, especially on transgender and gender-creative individuals, couples, and families. Current theory and research in the field as they relate to gender identity, sexuality, and gender minority stress in couples and families are presented. Case examples are used to illustrate affirmative approaches to treatment issues such as coming out, safety, grief and loss, redefining relationships, and social/medical transitions that may arise for transgender or gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals, couples, and families.
authors.affiliation: Online Certificate Program in LGBT Mental Health & Human Services, San Francisco, CA.|Rockway Institute for LGBT Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Francisco, CA.
authors.forename: Shawn V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Giammattei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gender Nonconforming; Transgender Aging; Transgender Couples; Transgender Families; Transgender Parents; Transgender Relationships; Transgender Youths