Episode #15: In this STATE OF MIND episode Debra Sloss, LMFT is joined by parent advocate Heidi Korokowski and gender therapist Daniel Blumrosen, LMFT, to talk about the unique and often challenging experience of parenting a transgender child. Strong family support of a transgender child can make a life or death difference and cultivates long-term mental health. Heidi is a parent of a transgender young man and she leads a support group for parents of transgender youth. Heidi shares her and her family’s adjustment to her son’s transition from female to male and describes the family’s evolution from confusion to advocacy. Guest Daniel Blumrosen, LMFT, is a Bay Area psychotherapist who shares important information about gender diversity and local resources to help families learn more. He discusses how to find a competent therapist to help your loved one or your family, and talks about where to find help and support for yourself. This show originally aired a year ago, when KSQD was in its first week of broadcasting. Because the topic is of such relevance in our community, we are re-broadcasting it.
Original Broadcast: 2/17/19
Remix Broadcast: 2/2/20
Special thanks to my co-producer Lauren Fein, our audio editor Jeanne Baldzikowski, and to Jennifer Young, who assists with research and outreach. And finally, thanks to acoustic guitarist Adrian Legg for composing, performing, and donating the use of our theme music.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU…if you or someone you know has an experience to share.
We’re adding a segment to the SoM radio show in which we feature the voices of our listeners on the topic we are discussing. So if you have an experience, a resource, or advice to share, please call and leave a message; you might just be in one of our upcoming shows!
CALL: 831-824-4323 and leave a 1-3 minute message including your name, why you are calling and what you want to share. Upcoming topics include: Anorexia & Eating Disorders, Mental Health Effects of Lyme Disease, Grandparents raising their grandchildren, Teens & Addiction, Teens & Anxiety.
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GENDER AFFIRMATIVE RESOURCES & LINKS:
Information for Families and Individuals:
UCSF Center for Excellence for Transgender Health http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/
Gender Spectrum https://www.genderspectrum.org/
TSER -Trans Student Educational Resources: http://www.transstudent.org/
TransLifeLine: a national trans-led organization that supports the needs of trans people. They have a hotline run by and for trans people: https://www.translifeline.org/
The Hotline: US: 877-565-8860 Canada: 877-330-6366
Transfamily Support Group in Santa Cruz, CA https://www.transfamiliesca.org
Phone Contact: 831-251-7749 (Heidi) Email: transfamiliesofsantacruz@gmail.com
The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County
The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County welcomes the trans community and their allies, offering peer support, group meetings, referrals, and resources. www.DiversityCenter.org/trans
Them.us
Blog for and about the LGBTQIA community https://www.them.usThem.us
Books:
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals Paperback – June 28, 2008
by Stephanie A. Brill & Rachel Pepper
The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens – September 13, 2016, by Stephanie A. Brill & Lisa Kenney
Now What?: A Handbook for Families with Transgender Children – May 20, 2015
by Rex Butt
Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults Paperback – October 21, 2019
By Finn Gratton, LMFT, LPCC
Clinical resources and gender affirmative articles:
AAP Policy Statement Urges Support and Care of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Policy-Statement-Urges-Support-and-Care-of-Transgender-and-Gender-Diverse-Children-and-Adolescents.aspx#
Literature Research Review: Gender identity in youth: treatment paradigms and controversies.
by Ehrensaft and Turbanm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29071722
International Journal of Transgenderism – online 2018 – socially transitioned pre-pubertal children are well adjusted. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15532739.2017.1414649
Source for Introduction Information:
Nicole Rider, Barbara J. McMorris, Amy L. Gower, Eli Coleman, Marla E. Eisenberg
2018, Health and Care Utilization of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth: A Population-Based Study, Pediatrics, March 2018, VOLUME 141 / ISSUE 3
Link to Article: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/3/e20171683
Film:
20:20 My Secret Self Complete Documentary
ABC documentary on transgender children presented by Barbara Walters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ_BHY5RolA
Other
Family Service Agency (FSA) of the Central Coast is a dedicated underwriter of State of Mind. FSA provides resources, support, and counseling services to adults and children. FSA believes in the power and potential of people of all ages and backgrounds to discover their own creative solutions and welcomes people of diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, socio-economic backgrounds. FSA Counseling Offices offer Medi-Cal, Medicare, and low-cost, sliding scale services in both downtown Santa Cruz 831-423-9444 x200 and in Soquel 831-346-6767 x200.
