Gender Affirming Psychotherapy

Maggi A. Price, PhD, is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Boston College and a Psychology Associate at Harvard University. A licensed child psychologist and federally funded health disparities researcher, Dr. Price specializes in affirming and culturally responsive practices, intervention and training development, and implementation science. Her award-winning research centers on community engagement and rigorous clinical science to reduce youth adversity. Her website is www.affirmlab.org.Avy Skolnik, PhD, is Director of Clinical Training at Hampshire College’s Health and Counseling Services (a satellite clinic of University Health Services at UMass Amherst) and is core faculty at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Skolnik is a psychodynamic clinician whose research has focused primarily on health equity. He has extensive experience providing training and consultation on issues impacting LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in health care, K–12, college, government, and community-based settings.

“Grounded in cutting-edge research and real-world clinical practice, this book offers a uniquely accessible and actionable guide to gender affirming psychotherapy for transgender youth. It provides evidence-based principles, step-by-step skills, lived experience narratives, interactive exercises, and practical tools that clinicians can immediately apply. The layered format--progressing from foundational concepts to advanced interventions--makes the book equally valuable for beginners and seasoned providers, as both a training resource and an everyday reference. Readers are equipped to deliver affirming, ethical, and effective care in an evolving social and legal landscape.â€--Eli Coleman, PhD, Professor and Director Emeritus, Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School“A revolutionary and essential work. I was especially struck by how powerful and grounding the youth stories are, and how they genuinely remind us what is truly at stake. The book also thoughtfully attends to intersectionality, recognizing how race, ethnicity, disability, and other cultural identities shape trans and nonbinary youths’ experiences in nuanced and critical ways. Offering the perfect combination of personal narratives; rigorous, community-engaged research; step-by-step clinical skills; and interactive activities that encourage reflection and practice, this book is truly a practical, life-saving resource that all helping professionals need.â€--Kevin L. Nadal, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center, City University of New York“This book is a treasure trove for providers seeking a comprehensive resource to increase competencies in treating transgender and gender-diverse youth. Importantly, the voices of youth and their families are centered throughout. The book is full of helpful resources for further instruction, including books, websites, and videos. I plan to share this book with early-career learners as well as seasoned colleagues.â€--Christy L. Olezeski, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine“Price and her Affirm Lab have enriched our understanding of how structural and interpersonal stigma impact young people, and how mental health professionals can help. In this richly informative book, she and clinical expert Skolnik offer detailed strategies for tailoring psychotherapy to the distinctive needs of transgender youth. This is a valuable resource for clinicians who want to make a difference for young people in these turbulent times.â€--John R. Weisz, PhD, ABPP, Henry Ford II Research Professor of the Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Harvard University-