ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is intended to help new and established mental health professionals become better informed with and comfortable providing adult transgender care, especially within an integrated care team. It helps mental health professionals understand the necessity of educating support staff and clinical colleagues to create a welcoming clinic experience for transgender clients. Like most established health care professionals who specialize in transgender health, the authors learned from experience—sometimes painful experience. The book primarily refers to "gender dysphoria" as a descriptive term for the distress that some transgender people experience. In addition, most chapter authors are cisgender individuals, although at least four authors identify as transgender people. Aside from medical or surgical transitioning, transgender clients may need or request other interventions to support their successful social transition.
