Symposia
LGBQT+
Nicholas Livingston, Ph.D.
National Center for PTSD
Westwood, Massachusetts
Anna Salomaa, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow
VA Boston healthcare System
BOSTON, Massachusetts
Danielle S. Berke, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Hunter College, City University of New York
New York, New York
Cara Herbitter, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow
VA Boston Healthcare System
Boston, Massachusetts
Kelly Harper, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow
National Center for PTSD
Boston, Massachusetts
William Bryant, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Charlston, South Carolina
Colleen A. Sloan, Ph.D.
Training Director, Psychology Internship Program
VA Boston Healthcare System & Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts
Lisa Gyuro, BA
Research technician
national Center for PTSD
BOSTON, Massachusetts
Zig Hinds, BS
Research technician
national Center for PTSD
BOSTON, Massachusetts
Sarah E. Valentine, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center
Medford, Massachusetts
Jillian Shipherd, PhD
Research psychologist
VA Central Office
BOSTON, Massachusetts
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience high rates of trauma and minority stressors (e.g., discrimination, stigma). These stressors jointly confer risk for negative health outcomes and complicate treatment. At present, there is little guidance on best practices for case conceptualization and treatment for trauma-exposed TGD individuals whose mental health needs are influenced by minority stress. Using Q-sort methodology and network analysis, we analyzed data from 18 TGD participants and 16 providers with expertise in TGD care to first derive thematic networks of trauma, minority stress experiences, and psychiatric symptoms. Next, we derived intervention networks from 51 elements of evidence-based transtheoretical interventions. These networks were based on participants’ perceptions of which interventions would be most helpful or effective in addressing previously derived communities (i.e., thematic networks of paired/related concept descriptions) of trauma, minority stress, and psychiatric symptoms. Networks of intervention strategies from TGD individuals and providers were similar, but important differences were present. TGD individuals produced three intervention communities characterized as follows: (1) “trauma processing and safety skills” (including empowerment-based self-defense training); (2) “psychoeducation and learning/practicing CBT skills, mindfulness, and valued living;” and (3) “social support and strategies to improve connection and affirmation” (including gender-affirming medical care). For providers, the communities were constituted as follows: (1) “establishing safety,” which included learning how/when situations are safe and learning self-defense; (2) “trauma processing and valued living skills;” (3) “interpersonal skills, improving social connection and belonging;” (4) “gender-affirmative coping skills, resources, community connection;” and (5) “psychoeducation, behavioral strategies, and life improvement strategies,” such as future planning and managing finances. In summary, TGD and provider participants had shared but also unique ideas about how to best approach trauma and minority stress treatment. Provider conceptualizations were largely consistent with current gold-standard trauma-focused interventions, yet there were significant modifications proposed. Similarities and differences in TGD and provider conceptualizations of treatment strategies and implications for future research and practice will be discussed.