Trans in treatment: a mixed-method systematic review on the psychotherapeutic experiences of transgender and gender diverse people
Transgender and/or non-binary (TNB) individuals encounter a variety of attitudes from mental healthcare professionals in therapeutic contexts, ranging from micro-affirmations to the reinforcement of cis- and heteronormative stereotypes and even overtly invalidating behaviors or communications. Given...
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| Published in | Research in psychotherapy (Milano). Vol. 28; no. 1 |
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| Main Authors | , , , , , , |
| Format | Journal Article |
| Language | English |
| Published |
Italy
PAGEPress Publications, Pavia, Italy
28.02.2025
PAGEPress Publications |
| Subjects | |
| Online Access | Get full text |
| ISSN | 2239-8031 2499-7552 2239-8031 |
| DOI | 10.4081/ripppo.2025.834 |
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| Summary: | Transgender and/or non-binary (TNB) individuals encounter a variety of attitudes from mental healthcare professionals in therapeutic contexts, ranging from micro-affirmations to the reinforcement of cis- and heteronormative stereotypes and even overtly invalidating behaviors or communications. Given the scarcity of literature addressing the therapeutic experiences of TNB individuals, the current mixed-method systematic review aimed at better understanding the factors that promote or adversely impact the therapeutic experiences of TNB individuals in clinical contexts. A comprehensive search for relevant records published before August 1, 2024, was conducted across four databases (i.e., Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo), following PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria specified that only peer-reviewed, indexed, English-language articles addressing the therapeutic experiences of TNB individuals would be selected. A total of 20 studies (both quantitative and qualitative) met these criteria. A meta-synthesis of the selected studies identified three main themes: (1) factors influencing therapist selection and reasons for seeking psychotherapy (e.g., quality of life, gender-specific concerns); (2) factors contributing to a positive therapeutic relationship (a nurturing therapeutic alliance that, e.g., acknowledges authentic gender and addresses intersectional stigma); and (3) factors contributing to negative encounters with mental healthcare providers (e.g., micro- and/or macro-aggressions, inadequate trans-specific knowledge, pathologization of TNB identities). Recommendations for future research and clinical practice addressing the needs of TNB individuals in psychotherapy are provided. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 The authors declare no potential conflict of interest. Consent for publication: not applicable. Publisher’s note: all claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. Citation: Mezzalira, S., Carone, N., Bochicchio, V., Villani, S., Cruciani, G., Quintigliano, M., Scandurra, C., (2025). Trans in treatment: a mixed-method systematic review on the psychotherapeutic experiences of transgender and gender diverse people. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 28(1), 834. Ethics approval and consent to participate: not applicable. |
| ISSN: | 2239-8031 2499-7552 2239-8031 |
| DOI: | 10.4081/ripppo.2025.834 |