Working with Transgender Youths and Their Families: Counselors and Therapists as Advocates for Trans-Affirmative School Environments

Transgender youths face harassment in schools while parents are adjusting to their children’s gender identities and sometimes struggling to advocate for their children. Counselors and therapists may need to extend beyond their agency and private practice settings and into school environments to educate and advocate for just and compassionate treatment of transgender youths. This article summarizes challenges transgender youths face in schools, recommendations for creating trans-affirmative school environments, and strategies for counselor advocacy.