The Transgender Client

Bodies Vary and They Change Anyway

Pride Month at VFED featured the gifted clinician, Rebecca Yadegari, MSRD who led an engaging discussion about ED treatment for transgender people. What was great, was that we met several treatment providers in the LA region who already administer quality ED care to this population. We learned from experienced colleagues amongst us of the active role that this requires. Also, unique and relevant local resources were shared.

Transgender is a broad term encompassing people who have difficulty with their gender assignment. We need to listen to actually know when we are sitting with someone suffering from potentially related dysmorphia and/or dysphoria. Rebecca covered why the higher risk of eating disorders, as well as what is needed from us. Our job is to get them to talk, to explore and validate feelings- the desire to change & any discomfort in the body. When faced with intended change to body composition, we are ultimately diverting conversation to health/labs/interoceptive abilities.

There may be needed work with body respect before a surgery. Or grief from an over anticipated change in one’s baseline life happiness. But as with all clients, it is the eliciting of conversation and the teaching of self-love and compassion.

A video of the full talk is here