Customized Therapeutic Solutions in a Safe, Secure, & Inclusive Space
I often use the metaphor with parents that when they learn their child is trans* or gender non-conforming, the experience can often feel like learning that they are running a marathon without knowing ahead of time to start training. I say this because often when a teenager shares this information with their parents, they are moving to a point of wanting to take steps towards coming out and transitioning, in whatever way that fits for the youth.
Mostly, this news feels overwhelming. This is not because parents aren’t supportive of their children, but because it is new information and may not have been on a parent’s radar. At this point, tension and conflict may develop between a child and their parents over speed of action. For example, a parent may want to slow down and digest the information, while their child may want to start making changes. These changes may include starting hormones, obtaining a legal name change, or coming out at school to their classmates and teachers.
The Juniper Center
At The Juniper Center, we recognize that when someone in a family comes as out trans*, that person deserves support and a space to work through their own feelings and needs. We also believe that to best support our trans* and gender non-conforming individuals, we also need to provide support and space for their parents and family members to process, as well as to gain resources, and support.
For a parent, the process of catching up to their child’s gender transition can feel confusing or overwhelming, even when a parent fully supports their child’s coming out. We believe that helping the whole family to support their child in the child’s transition of identity and/or expression, helps everyone in the family to live happier and more connected lives. We offer family sessions or individual appointments with parents so they can get support and discuss any questions they have. Additionally, we provide resources and referrals to support groups, such as PFLAG, which offer a safe space for parents to talk to other parents with gender-variant children.
*Contributed by Melisa Bailey, Psy.D.
Helping You Live Your Best Life
What matters to you matters to us. At The Juniper Center, we understand it takes courage to ask for help, and you don’t have to face your fear alone. With the right tools, solutions, and guidance, you can enhance the relationships in your life. Using a combination of techniques at the forefront of neurological science and compassionate care, we empower our clients to live their best lives.
Our team of mental health professionals leverages their extensive experience and training to create individualized treatment plans to help our clients reach their professional, personal, and mental health goals.
