Working Alongside Trans and Gender Variant People

A two-day training course for therapists and counsellors

This two-day course has been created in response to demand for more in-depth and specialist learning from therapists and counsellors themselves, and to the need of the trans community for a pool of trans-knowledgeable therapists and counsellors to draw on.

The training will be a mix of formal presentations, interactive exercises and reflective discussions delivered in a small group learning environment by two professional trainers who combine extensive therapeutic and trans-specific knowledge and practice.

About the Course

Date: NEW DATES IN LONDON, BRISTOL AND MANCHESTER WILL BE ADVERTISED SHORTLY

Time: 9:00 arrival for a prompt 9:30 start; close at 16:30

Cost: £325 which includes:

• A course booklet, handouts, extensive list of links and online resources
• Your first year’s membership of the new GI Network for Therapists and Counsellors
• Listing in the Gendered Intelligence Therapists and Counsellors Directory (subject to criteria – see Directory information below)
• An attendance certificate
• Lunch and refreshments on both days

For: This course is for practising psychotherapists, therapists and counsellors who are working with, or are interested in working with, trans and gender variant people. We particularly welcome bookings from QTIPOC / trans therapists and counsellors.

Numbers: Maximum of 18 participants to ensure individual learning needs are met

This session is also available as an in-house course
Contact us for details

Course Outline

This two-day course will cover:

• Gender diversity in the current social context
• A basic introduction to relevant legislation, including The Equality Act 2010, and how it might relate to service provision
• The WPATH (The world Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standards of care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People and how they inform good practice
• The treatment pathways and medical contexts relevant to transgender people and their families
• Specific terminology, skills and knowledge relating to the use of language when working alongside trans and gender variant people
• Gender Theory and how it can inform good practice in therapeutic work with trans people and their families
• Theoretical models and psychotherapy practices that support work with trans and gender diverse people
• Current dilemmas in practice with transgender and gender diverse people

The course takes a generic / integrative approach, providing useful tools to take back into your way of working.

Some elements are drawn from Gendered Intelligence's core half-day general course "Introduction to Trans Awareness". If you have previously attended that course, you'll find a few of the exercises on the first day familiar.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will:

• Appreciate how sex, gender and sexual orientation interact
• Feel more confident in understanding how gender is constructed and the impact this has on identity, relationships and therapy
• Understand key terms and language, and have strategies to approach their continuing evolution
• Understand the legal and medical contexts for working with trans clients
• Know a range of ideas, tools and theoretical underpinnings to enable better conversations about gender and gender diversity in therapeutic practice
• Be able to identify good practice in relation to working alongside and supporting transgender and gender variant clients
• Feel more confident to engage in conversations about gender and gender diversity
• Have additional learning resources and know where to find further helpful materials

Quotes from Previous Participants

Here are some comments from delegates attending the first course in June 2017:

“I really, really enjoyed this, I am inspired and enthusiastic about continuing with reading, thinking more and being on the Network and Directory. Thank you all so much.” Claire Randolph

“Outstanding - somehow managed to cater to all levels of experience in the room without being too fast/slow/basic/complicated. Fantastic facilitation - very engaged and passion for the subject shone through.”  Ellis Johnson

"Really good link between theory and therapeutic practice. Really appreciated bringing real world into the room," Alex

About Gendered Intelligence…

Gendered Intelligence is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, established in 2008. 

Our vision is of a world where people are no longer constrained by narrow perceptions and expectations of gender, and where diverse gender expressions are visible and valued.

Our mission is to increase understanding of gender diversity and improve quality of life for trans people.

To achieve this, we work with all those who impact on trans lives, and we also work directly with trans people. We particularly specialise in supporting young trans people aged 8-30.

About the Trainers…

Lee Gale joined Gendered Intelligence (GI) in 2013, having worked in support of the trans communities in a range of voluntary roles and organisations since 2000.

He has 7 years’ experience of training and group facilitation, based on various Train the Trainer courses, including Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) and honed through work with trans community voluntary work. He founded a Yorkshire based social/support group for trans masculine people and co-founded TransBareAll, an organisation that works with individuals to explore topics such as body, relationships and confidence, sexual health and intimacy. This grass roots work is his passion and has given him a valued insight into the issues and experiences trans people face.

As an independent consultant, he has also been involved in producing resources such as “Living My Life”, “Top Tips for Working with Trans People” and “Our Bodies, Our Health, a health guide for trans men, trans masculine and non binary people”.

GI is a trans-led organisation and Lee is trans himself – he started transition in 1999 to live a more masculine identity. He views being visible in the work he does for GI as one more way he can help people gain an understanding of trans people.

Amanda Middleton has over 18 years experience providing counselling and psychotherapy to a diverse range of people and groups. Initially she qualified as a Psychologist in Australia, and then as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist in the UK. A UKCP registered Psychotherapist, she works primarily with gender, sex and sexuality specialising within the LGBT communities, and has extensive experience in the NHS, social care and private therapy fields. She has previously worked as a specialist in the areas of sex and sexuality, dual diagnosis, HIV and sexual health, drug and alcohol use and domestic violence.

Currently Amanda works as an Associate Relationship Therapist at The Pink Practice, as a Principle Lecturer in Systemic Practice at The University of Bedfordshire and as a Clinical Associate and Trainer for Pink Therapy.

Requesting a Place

BOOKING FOR NEW DATES WILL OPEN SHORTLY

Further course dates will be advertised soon

Questions and Further Information

For questions or further information not covered on the website, please contact Simon:

training@genderedintelligence.co.uk

07950 471414

Gendered Intelligence Network for Therapists and Counsellors

The Gendered Intelligence (GI) Network for Therapists and Counsellors aims to support therapists and counsellors to enable a positive experience in a therapy setting for trans people (and their families).

Therapists and counsellors who complete GI’s two day course “Working Alongside Trans and Gender Variant People” can become members of the GI Therapists and Counsellors Network.

The first year’s membership is included as part of the training.

Joining the network entitles you to:

• Be added to a directory aimed at trans people and their families
  (subject to criteria – see Directory information below))
• Join the e-mail distribution list
• Receive a newsletter with therapist related content 4 times a year
• Access group supervision / consultation
  (every 3 months, maximum of 12 people for 3 hours, cost £45/session)
  Please note that these groups will initially take place in London; we may run them in additional locations according to demand

The annual fee for subsequent years is currently £80.

Gendered Intelligence Therapists and Counsellors Directory

Therapists who complete the training and show competency through an application form can sign up to the forthcoming GI Standards of Therapeutic Provision and be put on the Gendered Intelligence Therapists and Counsellors Directory.

Competency is demonstrated by being registered with professional body, qualified to a certain standard, having prior work experience and/ or through participation in the GI therapist and counsellors supervision / consultation sessions.

Therapy organisations whose team have completed the therapist training and have joined the GI Professional Services membership may join the register.

This directory is available to members of the trans community, including young members of the GI youth groups and the Parents and Carers group.