Joonwoo Lee

Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals experience high rates of relational trauma from parental figures, yet their pathways to healing remain underexplored. This qualitative study used constructivist grounded theory to develop a theoretical framework of how TNB adults heal from parental relational trauma. In‐depth interviews with 15 racially and socioeconomically diverse U.S.‐based TNB adults who experienced parental relational trauma generated the core phenomenon: “TNB identity and experiences initiate and sustain pathways of healing from parental relational trauma.” This captures that rather than being a source of this trauma, recognizing and actualizing one's TNB identity is the central catalyst for healing from it. The healing process began with three conditions: (a) connecting with one's TNB identity/self, (b) gaining new clarity in parental harm through TNB‐related parental harm, and (c) experiencing joy and oppression as TNB while lacking parental support. These conditions gave rise to strategies including (d) creating safer homes through queer/TNB chosen family, (e) committing to individual healing through therapy, and (f) reimagining life through ongoing actualization as TNB. The consequences of these strategies, in turn, created conditions that enabled subsequent strategies, including (g) attempting repair and intergenerational work with families of origin, (h) distancing as self‐preservation, and (i) returning to TNB communities to sustain healing across generations. The consequences of these processes included personal, intergenerational, and collective healing. The study offers implications for research, clinical practice, and advocacy, calling for approaches that frame TNB identity not as a source of familial conflict but as a central resource for recovery.

The present study explored the psychotherapy goals of two spirit, trans, and nonbinary Black and Brown clients of color prior to beginning therapy with two spirit, trans, and nonbinary Black and Brown therapists of color. Fifty-one participants (M = 28.24 years) were interviewed about their therapy goals prior to a 15-session intervention integrating the psychological framework of radical healing and strategies addressing internalized racism and transnegativity. Thematic analysis revealed five primary themes: (a) accessing and embracing authentic self, (b) addressing mental health symptoms and learning adaptive intrapersonal coping skills, (c) healing from trauma, (d) cultivating healthy relationships and a sense of belonging, and (e) gaining a corrective and positive experience in therapy. The findings show a range of therapeutic goals that two spirit, trans, and nonbinary Black and Brown clients of color desire to address in culturally responsive therapy, underscoring the importance of mental health care that acknowledges how their intersecting identities shape their needs and experiences. We provide implications for practice, training, and future research in counseling psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

The present study explores resilient and proactive strategies that Korean transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people utilize in face of barriers and discrimination in their job search process. Participants were 16 Korean TNB adults living in South Korea who identified as trans men ( n = 7), trans women ( n = 6), and nonbinary ( n = 3), whose ages ranged from 24 to 37 years old (M = 29.6, SD = 4.0). Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, we developed a theoretical framework that explains barriers that puts TNB workers at risk of career interruption as well as resilient strategies they adopt within the job search process to sustain their careers. Findings indicate that despite facing systematic barriers and discrimination during job search, TNB individuals demonstrate notable resilience and resistance, actively paving their career pathways. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of the proposed theoretical framework of TNB people’s job search experiences.

Background: There is a notable lack of psychotherapeutic services tailored to the needs of Two Spirit, transgender, and nonbinary (2STNB) people of color; research indicates that 2STNB clients who are people of color report a lack of competence and cultural humility on the part of their therapists. Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility and acceptability of the Healing Through Ongoing Psychological Empowerment (HOPE) teletherapy intervention using deductive content analysis. Methods: We used an open clinical trial design (testing one intervention without a comparison group) to test the feasibility and acceptability of the HOPE intervention. At baseline, 51 clients were enrolled in the open clinical trial, with 49 2STNB clients who are people of color starting and completing the HOPE intervention. Clients were recruited primarily from social media and therapist waitlists. Clients completed up to 15 free face-to-face telehealth psychotherapy sessions that were provided by nine 2STNB therapists who are people of color. Feasibility and acceptability interviews were conducted prior to the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at 6 months after completing the intervention. Results: The HOPE intervention demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, specifically regarding data collection, psychometric adequacy, interventionist recruitment or training or retention, delivery of the intervention, acceptability of the intervention to clients, and client engagement with the intervention. Conclusions: These findings propose HOPE as a potentially feasible, culturally specific therapeutic approach for the 2STNB community who are people of color. Future randomized controlled trials comparing HOPE to existing evidence-based treatments are needed.

In response to negative media attention regarding gender affirming medical interventions (GAMI), the current manuscript explores the content of messages trans and nonbinary (TNB) individuals receive regarding the impacts of GAMI on gender dysphoria. Further, TNB individuals’ experiences of the effects of GAMI on gender dysphoria are described. A sample of responses from 105 TNB participants were analyzed utilizing qualitative content analysis. These qualitative results revealed that the messages participants received were split between trans negative and trans affirming aspects. Relatedly, participants’ experiences also reflected a dichotomy between current limitations and positive impacts of GAMI on gender dysphoria. The discussion focuses on how participants’ positive experiences with GAMI, which resulted in decreased gender dysphoria and psychological distress, challenge the current political discourse that attempts to ban GAMI. Clinical implications focus on how to translate the current findings regarding the limitations of GAMI into more fully informed consent processes.

Internalization of stigmatizing messages from society is a primary risk factor for transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people. To locate points of intervention for TNB people with a high level of internalized transnegativity, the present study examined predictors of internalized transnegativity in Korean TNB adults ( N = 268) using a multiple mediator model. We hypothesized that parental attachment would predict internalized transnegativity through the mediating effect of self-shame, rejection sensitivity, and self-concept clarity. The analysis provided partial support for the mediator hypothesis. The results were consistent with a model in which self-shame fully mediates the relation between parental attachment and internalized transnegativity, with no evidence of a mediating role for self-concept clarity or rejection sensitivity. This study shows that TNB individuals reporting insecure attachment with parents are more likely to experience internalized transnegativity, and the relation is largely accounted for by the indirect effect via general self-shame.

Research on the experiences of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals in counseling psychology is expanding, but studies focusing on their work experiences remain limited and primarily address workplace discrimination. This study aimed to develop a grounded theory on Korean TNB workers' interpersonal experiences at work, exploring not only their challenges but also their growth through workplace relationships. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, the authors interviewed 16 Korean TNB workers from diverse professions and industries. The resulting theory demonstrates how TNB workers develop critical consciousness of gender, self, and society through significant changes in workplace social interactions and status. This heightened awareness enables TNB workers to balance their authentic selves with others' expectations and to engage in social advocacy. The study concludes with implications for strength-based counseling practices, advocacy needs, and directions for future research.