The Implementation of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) for Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults

Jamie M Julian; Jordan I Held; Karen Hixson; Bridgid M Conn

doi:10.1007/s40653-023-00530-4

The Implementation of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) for Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults

J Child Adolesc Trauma. 2023 Mar 13;16(3):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s40653-023-00530-4. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jamie M Julian¹, Jordan I Held¹, Karen Hixson², Bridgid M Conn^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Los Angeles, CA USA Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
² Portland, OR Portland, USA.
³ Los Angeles, CA USA Division of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

Abstract

Purpose: There is limited information available regarding the use of trauma modalities within the transgender and gender diverse community (TGD) to address gender-based trauma, including discrimination and invalidation, particularly for adolescents and young adults (AYA). The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel treatment approach to addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms within TGD AYA, inclusive of gender-based trauma.

Methods: Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was implemented as a brief intervention for TGD AYA who had a positive screening for PTSD symptomatology. Measures were used to assess PTSD symptoms, as well as changes in self-perceived resilience and positive well-being. Two case vignettes are provided to demonstrate the adaptations made to be responsive to the unique needs of TGD AYA for trauma processing.

Results: Preliminary outcomes from two case studies indicate the strength of NET when working with TGD AYA who face multiple traumatic events and continue to experience invalidation.

Conclusion: NET shows promise as an effective brief intervention to reduce PTSD symptomology and increase resiliency in TGD AYA.

Keywords: Adolescents; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Transgender; Trauma; Treatment.

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