ABSTRACT
Adopting an expansive perspective of gender is the foundation of deconstructing rigid and limiting constructs impede a person’s ability to liberate themselves from certain bias. Understanding the fluid nature of gender, in all gender identities, is an expansive way to view gender. This chapter breaks down binary and nonbinary gender identity spectrums and introduces the application of affirmative therapy in clinical practice. The expectations of gender affirming therapists are presented in this chapter with continued suggestions as to how to dismantle internalized unconscious bias. Therapists must continue to challenge themselves and their beliefs in order to effectively work with marginalized populations, including trans folx.
