Non-Binary Clients’ Experiences of Psychotherapy: Uncomfortable and Affirmative Approaches

Fau Rosati (), Maric Martin Lorusso, Jessica Pistella, Guido Giovanardi, Bianca Di Giannantonio, Marta Mirabella, Riccardo Williams, Vittorio Lingiardi and Roberto Baiocco
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Fau Rosati: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maric Martin Lorusso: Department of Psychology, Campus Cesena, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 47521 Bologna, Italy
Jessica Pistella: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Guido Giovanardi: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Bianca Di Giannantonio: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Marta Mirabella: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Riccardo Williams: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Vittorio Lingiardi: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Roberto Baiocco: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Non-binary people may face specific challenges in psychological settings. Psychotherapists often display a lack of preparation for non-binary gender identities, resulting in overt or subtle forms of prejudice that compromise the therapeutic alliance. The present study aimed to provide data on non-binary clients’ positive and negative experiences within therapeutic relationships. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with non-binary people in the age range of 19–35. Using codebook thematic analysis, the researchers identified three main themes: (1) the self of the psychotherapist, consisting of the impact of the therapist’s personal (i.e., sexual identity) and professional (i.e., competence) characteristics on the therapeutic experience; (2) the practice of the psychotherapist, emerging as affirmative (validation and microaffirmations) or negative (gender identity change efforts, manifest aggressions, and microaggressions) approaches toward non-binary identities; (3) the therapeutic relationship, referring to the alliance, rupture, and reparation based on the therapists’ openness toward non-binary identities. To provide a safer setting for non-binary clients, psychotherapists should incorporate issues related to gender minority identities in their training, acknowledge clinical errors when they occur and adopt an active predisposition to learn through the client’s experience, giving value to their unique contribution.

Keywords: non-binary; gender identity; psychotherapy; psychotherapists; affirmative approach; microaggression; microaffirmation; therapeutic relationship; misgendering; cisgenderism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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