Theorizing Transgender Identity for Clinical Practice: A New Model for Understanding Gender

S.J. Langer is a writer & psychotherapist in New York City, US where he maintains a private practice. He is on faculty at School of Visual Arts in both the MPS Art Therapy and Humanities & Sciences departments. His article "Trans Bodies and the Failure of Mirrors" was the co-winner of the Symonds Prize in 2016 from the journal Studies in Gender and Sexuality.

Providing new approaches for exploring gender identity and expression, this book is ideal for clinical practice with transgender and gender nonconforming/diverse clients. Importantly, it moves beyond the medical model to advance an understanding of transgender subjectivity as a natural variation of gender in humans. The book deepens understanding of the developmental trajectory of trans and gender non-conforming individuals over their lifespan, before and beyond transition, by offering new theories on gender. Drawing on theories from a range of different fields including psychoanalysis, philosophy, neuroscience, consciousness studies, trauma therapy, sex therapy, gender theory, disability studies and trans studies, it illustrates how informed clinical practice can recognise the complexity of gender identity and expression. With chapters on the understanding of core gender through the Free Energy Principle, the foundations of gender in consciousness, a gender algorithm, trauma, mirroring, and sexual functioning, this book works to provide a superior method of clinical practice that can better serve trans communities and our understanding of gender across the population.

For use in clinical practice with transgender and gender non-conforming clients, this books develops understanding of their developmental trajectory, both before and beyond transition. With chapters on body image, mirroring and attachment, trauma, consciousness and the location of gender, this is an invaluable exploration of gender identity.

Introduction; Preface; 1. Being and knowing; 2. Foundations of Consciousness and Gender; 3. Mirroring Recognition; 4. Gender, Terminable and Interminable; 5. Accommodating for Bodies; 6. Trauma, Trans and Temporality; Epilogue; References; Images