Trans-Authentic: IFS and Gender Identity

Today on The Soul of Life I speak with IFS lead trainer, trauma therapist and former Harvard psychiatrist Frank Anderson about the surge of young children questioning their gender or seeking to transition. One recent U.S. survey cited in a MedScape Psychiatry journal article found a 4000% increase (over 40-fold) in the number of gender dysphoria cases since 2006 (see www.SoulofLifeShow.com/Frank-Anderson for full article.) We agree just how important it is—and rare—to find a safe space as mental health clinicians to explore our own biases, judgments and subconscious fears that could interfere with our ability to hold genuine curiosity and clarity when we see families in our practice struggling to navigate these complex decisions. IFS stands for the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy that represents the state-of-the-art among trauma therapists for its paradigm-bending view of the mind as naturally multiple—and the view that we have protective aspects of our identity that can mask our real authentic Self. We discuss how the IFS concept of Self—a core spiritual aspect of us that is distinct from our protective parts—could be key to help relieve distress on both sides of the cultural polarity related to kids and gender identity. I ask Frank what Self-Led Gender Fluidity would look like if applied to children who want to identify as trans. Frank talks about his experience with kids in his practice who question their sexual orientation or gender identity—two totally distinct things—and what he calls the natural evolution of authenticity around identity development. "It takes somebody a while to get connected to what’s authentic for them. I couldn’t explore my sexual orientation, at all, until my trauma was healed.... Let’s not make any decisions until you’ve healed your trauma." Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulOfLifeShow​ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulofLifeShow​ Want to book Keith as a guest on your podcast? Contact him at [email protected]. ***7-Week Stress Reduction & Relationship Growth Course*** If you and your significant other are looking for ways to improve communication and strengthen your partnership, there is still time to enroll in my upcoming live 7-Week Mindfulness and IFS course, called Mindful Marriage. Partners of any kind are welcome. It's a one-of-a-kind offering that can truly transform how you show up in intimacy. For more information visit: https://community.souloflifeshow.com/