Conceptualization of Gender Nonconformity Among Mental Health Professionals

Individuals who are gender nonconforming often experience discrimination, violence, and limited social support. American culture conceptualizes gender in such a way that it makes it almost impossible for gender nonconforming individuals to express themselves freely without running into problems from the outside environment. Social support is imperative to individuals' ability to be resilient in their environments, and mental health professionals often help individuals achieve higher levels of social support. Hence, it is imperative for mental health professionals to understand the experiences of gender nonconforming individuals in such a way that ensures they will not possess transphobic beliefs, stereotypes, and biases. With limited research available to guide practice, this exploratory study sought to further explore ways in which mental health professionals from different disciplines conceptualize gender nonconformity and how this conceptualization is related to transphobia utilizing queer theory as a theoretical framework. A total of 64 mental health professionals working at 14 different mental health agencies responded to a survey questionnaire asking about gender nonconforming knowledge and beliefs. This research produced a greater understanding of how mental health professionals conceptualize gender nonconformity and identified potential needs for further research and education in this area.No embargoAcademic Major: Social Wor