Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe individuals whose gender identity, expression, or behavior does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the ALGBTIC Competencies, being transgender is not considered a mental disorder; rather, it is a facet of human diversity. Counselors are trained to provide gender-affirming care that validates the client’s self-identified gender, focusing on the "congruence" between their internal sense of self and their external expression. This approach distinguishes the identity itself from Gender Dysphoria, which is the specific psychological distress that may arise from the mismatch between one’s gender identity and assigned sex.