If you observe a group of infants, you will notice that some reach out to the world, smiling at everyone. No one is a stranger, everyone is a new friend. And some babies seem to hold back, observing the world. Not expressing fear, but also not reaching out to “shake hands.” Some infants are in [...]
Transition and Beyond: Second Edition NOW AVAILABLE
Transition and Beyond: Observations on Gender Identity, Second Edition by Reid Vanderburgh, MA, LMFT
Team-Reid
This article is a departure from my usual writings about trans/therapy issues, but the topic has interested me recently and I thought it worth committing to virtual paper. I have been involved with various not-for-profit organizations, either as a volunteer or paid staff, for over 30 years. About ten years ago, I heard a brief [...]
Team-Reid
There is very little attention paid to the dilemma of the partner/spouse of a therapist. Yet this can be a tricky role to navigate. Here are some scenarios for consideration, told from the perspective of the partner: – You own a small business, and are looking for a new employee. One day someone answers your [...]
Team-Reid
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Team-Reid
As of January of 2012, I am no longer working directly with clients, though I am continuing to provide consultation, teach Continuing Education classes, and lead workshops/trainings. 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. In addition, I’ve [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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) [...]
