Navigating transgender patients needs: representation, beliefs and clinical approaches among psychotherapists

Abstract

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals are frequently addressed as a part of the general category of sexual minorities. The experience of gender transition, eventually followed by gender reassignment surgery (GRS), presents multifaceted and peculiar issues concerning psychosocial adjustment. Research studies have investigated the attitudes of professionals about homosexuality and bisexuality. In contrast, the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards transgenderism remain poorly investigated in the Italian context. Achieving better knowledge and trying to understand good practices could offer new perspectives that may help in eliminating TGNC marginalization and may improve the quality of psychological care for gender-diverse individuals.