Since I’ve retired as a therapist, I’ve been asked many times not only for referrals of other therapists, but also for tips on how to choose a therapist. Here are some basics to start with.
First, it’s unrealistic to expect a therapist to understand from personal experience every one of the issues and identities you might [...]
Transition and Beyond: Second Edition NOW AVAILABLE
Transition and Beyond: Observations on Gender Identity, Second Edition by Reid Vanderburgh, MA, LMFT
Archive for the ‘Therapy Issues’ Category
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by Team-Reid
by Team-Reid
There is a lot of humor to be found in transition, and seeing the humorous aspects of this often-overwhelming process can help trans people navigate their transformation with a sense of proportion. If something amusing has happened to you during the course of your transition, send me your story and I may add it to [...]
by Team-Reid
In 1999, I took a graduate school class titled Paradigms of Consciousness. One class assignment was to write an autobiographical myth. This process was revealing to me, as it allowed me to step back from my transition and write about it in metaphorical form, giving new dimensions to the process and showing me yet again [...]
by Team-Reid
As of January of 2012, I am no longer working directly with clients, though I am continuing to provide consultation, trainings, and clinical supervision to therapy interns. Since I began my practice in 2001, I have been asked to do increasing numbers of trainings, as well as to consult with other therapists. I have also [...]
by Team-Reid
“Normal” is a statistical term represented by the following graph:
This kind of distribution can be found along many dimensions of human experience — height, weight, intelligence, etc. The people at either end of the graph, the 2.5% people, are called outliers.
I have heard a number of comments over the years along the lines of:
“I [...]
by Team-Reid
There is a growing number of trans-identified therapists and psychologists, which I find an exciting development in the profession. Over time, this will lead to a substantial body of literature de-pathologizing trans identity, which will in turn lead the therapy/psychology professions in the direction of being more helpful to trans clients than has traditionally been [...]
by Team-Reid
Dysphoria is a pervasive feeling of discomfort, discontent, or dissatisfaction with life. “Gender dysphoria” is a term that has been around for a couple of decades, specifying gender as the cause for the feeling of dysphoria. Some of the ways people describe the experience include: “I just don’t feel right in a female (or male) [...]
by Team-Reid
What are some of the general characteristics of a healthy relationship? It all boils down to communication and boundaries. Do you and your partner/spouse communicate honestly in a non-judgmental style, do you each “own” the patterns and idiosyncrasies you bring to the relationship? And, do you treat each other with respect, and yourselves with self-respect? [...]
by Reid Vanderburgh MA, LMFT
Holiday Self-Care
In my ten years as a therapist, I’ve noticed a pattern among my trans clients, based on the time of year they begin facing their true selves and taking steps to change their lives. Those who come to see me during late summer/early fall bump up against the fact that by starting their process [...]
by Reid Vanderburgh MA, LMFT
My degree is an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Transpersonal Psychology. I call myself a holistic psychotherapist. Many people have asked me what transpersonal psychology is, and what “holistic psychotherapy” means.
Transpersonal psychology is the fourth major wave of psychology. First came psychoanalysis, developed by Freud. In a nutshell, psycho-analysts (and psychodynamic therapists [...]
