Service Delivery and the Challenges of Providing Service to People Who Are Transgender

Abstract

An increasing number of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are working with individuals who are transgender (TG) and gender diverse people. This trend likely reflects a growing number of TG and gender diverse patients seeking treatment. Whilst voice and communication outcomes can be highly satisfying for both the client and the therapist, there can be many challenges associated with service delivery to the transgender population. This article will discuss the challenges for SLPs, both in public state-funded health care systems, and clinicians in private practice. This discussion is informed by my 15 years of clinical experience in both systems and by recent developments in the field of TG voice and communication work.

Gender-related aspects of transmasculine people's vocal situations: insights from a qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts

“…Instead, the results of the present study indicate that some transmasculine people do not present with what is commonly described as the main treatment goal for speech–language pathology services for gender diverse people: ‘an authentic voice which “fits” the person, allowing them to effectively engage socially’ (Antoni : 63). Depending on the level of distress transmasculine people experience because of this inconsistency and depending on their skills to deal with this situation in a satisfying manner on their own, they may require professional assistance for improving their vocal situations in this regard.…”

“…In recent years, however, researchers have begun to acknowledge that it is not appropriate to assume that people who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth necessarily identify with the so‐called opposite gender. Rather, it is now increasingly recognized that unambiguously male or female gender identities are just two of the many options of how people may position themselves with regards to gender and that none of these positionings in themselves can be regarded as a sign of mental health or illness (e.g., Antoni , Azul , Coleman et al . , Davies et al .…”

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Voice-related Experiences of Nonbinary Individuals - VENI to Brazilian Portuguese

“…The only modified response key was number 4. Nine items were preserved according to the synthesis version, while eight items (3,4,6,7,9,10,12,16) were adjusted to meet the equivalence criteria. After incorporating the committee's changes and adjustments, the cross-culturally adapted version of the VENI was established (see Appendix A).…”

“…In the transgender population, the voice is a powerful reflection of gender identity, significantly influencing social inclusion, survival and quality of life (3) . Gender identity refers to the personal sense of gender as experienced by each person.…”

Adaptação transcultural do Voice-related Experiences of Nonbinary Individuals – VENI para o português brasileiro

“…Especificamente na população transgênero, a voz deve refletir a identidade de gênero, com grande influência nas questões sociais de inclusão, sobrevivência e qualidade de vida (3) . A identidade de gênero é um termo que indica o senso individual que uma pessoa possui de seu próprio gênero, uma vez que é experimentado em particular, na autoconsciência de estar dentro ou fora de um gênero; essa identidade pode ser masculina, feminina, não binária ou fluida (4,5) .…”