“My Only Intervention is Being Support”: School Counselors’ Experiences with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students

Abstract

Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) students face various challenges on individual and systemic levels, many of which can be addressed by school counselors (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 2021). However, there is a gap in the research on school counselors’ experience working with TGE students. Therefore, researchers answered the question, “What is the experience of school counselors working with transgender and gender expansive students?” Through an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, three themes emerged: (a) supporting their students’ identity journey; (b) working with people across systems; and (c) engaging in critical self-work. A discussion of implications, limitations, and future research is included.