XVI Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association Symposium
17 - 21 August 1999, London

Reflections on "Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment" 1969 -1999

Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents

Di Ceglie, Domenico, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adolescent Department, Tavistock Clinic, and Director, Gender Identity Development Unit, Portman Clinic. Honorary Senior Lecturer, royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK

In this introduction I will focus on psychotherapeutic approaches with children, adolescents and their families within an integrated, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment programme as offered by the Gender Identity Development Unit at the Portman Clinic. I will outline the concept of an "atypical gender identity organization" and describe how "a psychotherapeutic stance" can be used to explore the nature and characteristics of such an organisation, as well as to alleviate the associated psychological and social difficulties which these children and adolescents often present. The clinical value of this model of psychotherapy will be discussed with special reference to the crucial function of engaging this group of clients with the service and the planning of further management within a staged, progressive framework of reversible, partially reversible and irreversible physical interventions. Case vignettes will be used as an illustration.

References:
Di Ceglie, D (ed.) with David Freedman (1998). "A Stranger in My Own Body – Atypical Gender Identity Development and Mental Health". London, Karnac Books.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (1998). "Gender Identity Disorder in Children and Adolescents, Guidance for Management". Council Report CR63.