Trauma stabilization and recovery in a transgender Latina: A retrospective case example

Abstract

Research has suggested that children assigned male at birth who are also gender nonconforming may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing childhood sexual abuse and forms of ridicule and victimization consistent with minority stress. The negative effects of these experiences on later psychological and behavioral health are well documented. Experiences of growth resulting from such adversity are less often portrayed but can be beneficial in aiding a clinician as they plan and track treatment progress. The case material in this chapter involves the short-term psychotherapy treatment of a 20-year-old transgender female with young adulthood and childhood experiences of victimization related to her gender identity/expression, including childhood sexual abuse. This case material will illustrate the negative psychosocial outcomes related to these experiences (including minority stress), gender-affirming and trauma-informed approaches to trauma recovery, and signs indicating a process of posttraumatic growth in this patient.