Providing culturally sensitive care for transgender patients

Culturally sensitive information is crucial for providing appropriate care to any minority population. This article provides an overview of important issues to consider when working with transgender patients, including clarification of transgender terminology, diagnosis issues, identity development, and appropriate pronoun use. We also review common clinical issues for transgender individuals seeking mental health care, how these can be addressed within a CBT framework, and the process of setting up a CBT support group within a VA hospital system. CBT group outcome data and demonstrative examples from male to female transsexuals are also presented.