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TRANSACTIVISM AS THERAPY:A Client Self-Empowerment Model
Linking Personal & Social Agency
Rupert Raj, M.A., Counseling Psychology
LGBT Counsellor (Psychotherapist)Sherbourne Health Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Agenda Theoretical Drivers of the Model
Practical Drivers of the Model
Nuts & Bolts of the Model Case Study: Annabelle
Types of Transactivism
Therapist Transactivists
Non-Therapist Transactivists
Interactive Exercises
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Theoretical Drivers of the
ModelPSYCHODYNAMIC & EXISTENTIAL THEORY:
ALFRED ADLER (Interconnectedness, Power)
VIKTOR FRANKL (Meaning, Authenticity)
ANNE VITALE (Gender Authenticity)
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Practical Drivers of the
Model (TRANS)ACTIVIST THERAPIST AS
FACILITATOR: as role model & mentor
TRANS CLIENT AS SELF-EMPOWERER:
as individual (trans)person & as (trans)
community member
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Nuts & Bolts of the Model Interconnectedness (Social Interest)
Power
Meaning
Existential Authenticity
Genderal Authenticity
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Nuts & Bolts of the Model(contd)
EMPOWERMENT = personal & trans-personal power
AGENCY= ability of individual to be anactive agent of hir personal destiny
Personal Agency = Self-Advocacy
Social Agency = Community Activism
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Case Study: Annabelle Two-Spirited Transwoman (20)
Have been working with (then) pre-
transitional client over past 2 1/2 years Paper of same name to be published in
Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy
(Issue 3/4 and also as a monograph:Activism in LGBT Psychology) inNovember 2007
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Case Study: Presenting
IssuesMultiple Mental Health Issues: self-hatred poor body image
PTSD ADHD depression anxiety psychotic episodes anger/rage
substance use eating disorder self-harm suicidality
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Case Study: Presenting
Issues(contd)
Gender Distress (GID)/Transsexualism
Obesity
Familial Rejection
Abusive Mother/Unsafe Home Life
Social Isolation
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Case Study: Treatment
Goals Facilitate Self-Empowerment
(develop personal & social power)
Enhance Self-Esteem
Be Safe/Access Housing
Stabilize Mood Work Out Anger & Rage
Cease/Decrease Harmful Behaviours
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Case Study: Treatment
Goals(contd)
To Transition (hormone therapy)
Improve Body Image & Lose Weight
Make Supportive Friends
Connect to Community (trans & two-spirited)
Re-Connect with Father & Sisters
Start Healing Process re: Trauma
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Case Study: Interventions
CLIENT-CENTRED INTERDISCIPLINARY
CARE PLAN:
Client
Psychotherapist
Psychiatrist
Primary Care Physician Primary Care Nurse
Client Resource Worker
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Case Study: Interventions(contd)
Therapist Self-Disclosure, Modelling &Mentoring
Encouragement Client Self-Esteem Building Skills Development re: Self-Advocacy, Life,
Interpersonal & Social Skills Connecting the Dots between Personal &
Social Agency Re-channelling Righteous Rage re: Transphobia
into Empowering Advocacy & Activism
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Case Study: Interventions(contd)
Skills Transfer between Self-Advocacy &Community Activism
Facilitation re: Centres Trans Activities &Trans Community Activism
Individual Therapy
Group Work
Bibliotherapy Psychoeducational Workshops
Overall Ongoing Therapeutic Support
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Case Study: Treatment
Outcomes
Facilitating Self-Empowerment(developing personal & social power)
Enhancing Self-Esteem Becoming Safe/Accessed Transpositive
Supportive Housing
Stabilizing Mood Working Out Anger & Rage
Ceased/Decreasing Harmful Behaviours
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Case Study: Treatment
Outcomes(contd)
Accessing Female Hormone Therapy
Improving Body Image
Making Supportive Friends
Connecting with Trans & Two-SpiritedCommunities
Re-Connecting with Father & 1 Sister
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Types of Transactivism
Self-Advocacy Community Activism
Political Activism Legal Activism Educational Activism Scientific Activism
Religious Activism Art-as-Activism Therapy-as-Activism
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Some Key Transactivist
Therapists
Dallas Denny+ Gianna Israel+ (deceased) Matthias Kaay Zack Marshall Jude Patton+* Rupert Raj+* Hershel Russell+ Melanie Spritz, M.D. Reid Vanderburgh* Anne Vitale+ Lukas Walther Julian Young+*autobiographical pieces+trans research papers or other trans worksCanadian
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Contact Information
Sherbourne Health Centre
333 Sherbourne Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 2S5
Tel: (416) 324-4180; fax: (416) 324-4181
www.sherbourne.on.caRupert Raj: (416) 324-4174;
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