The Whole-Brain Path to Supporting Transgender Children: Integration, Identity, and Resilience
Every parent wants their child to grow up happy, healthy, and safe. But for parents of transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) children, that journey can feel uniquely complex—especially in today’s climate of growing cultural hostility. Many families are left asking: How do I raise a thriving TGNB child in a world that doesn’t always see or support them?
Grounded in The Whole-Brain Child model by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, this training offers a brain-based, developmental framework for supporting TGNB children with compassion and clarity. When children are supported in integrating their thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences, they feel more secure—in their bodies, in their identities, and more grounded in an ever-changing world.
This training will introduce a new framework for understanding gender development and explore the distinct blocks to integration that TGNB children often face—such as gender dysphoria and minority stress—along with how to recognize and respond to them using attuned, whole-brain strategies.
This training is designed for Licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs), educators, school counselors, and professionals in child and adolescent development.
For mental health professionals, medical team members, educators, and youth program leaders. This course includes 2 hours of APA continuing education credits.
Date:
Friday, June 20th from 9am to 11am
Learning Objectives:
- Define the concept of integration as it relates to the Whole-Brain Child model and apply it to TGNB children and gender development.
- Describe the signs of 2 blocks to integration experienced by TGNB children: minority stress and gender dysphoria.
- Describe how attuned adult support can promote emotional regulation, identity integration, and resilience in TGNB youth.
Cost:
$120 Early Bird Rate until June 7th
- Then $150
- $100 Student Rate
Are you a part of a group? We offer a $10 discount to individuals coming in a group from an organization or school. Please register individually but provide the names of everyone in your group in the ‘order notes’ of checkout.
Location:
This professional training session is a live, interactive webinar. We will send you the link to join the session after your register.
Description:
Every parent wants their child to grow up happy, healthy, and safe. But for parents of transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) children, that journey can feel uniquely complex—especially in today’s climate of growing cultural hostility. Many families are left asking: How do I raise a thriving TGNB child in a world that doesn’t always see or support them?
Grounded in The Whole-Brain Child model by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, this training offers a brain-based, developmental framework for supporting TGNB children with compassion and clarity. When children are supported in integrating their thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences, they feel more secure—in their bodies, in their identities, and more grounded in an ever-changing world.
This training will introduce a new framework for understanding gender development and explore the distinct blocks to integration that TGNB children often face—such as gender dysphoria and minority stress—along with how to recognize and respond to them using attuned, whole-brain strategies.
This training is designed for clinicians, educators, and allied professionals who support TGNB children and their families.nd information that will enhance your work with TGNB youth.
Agenda Overview:
Grab your tea or coffee – and join us for a morning of online learning!
9:00–9:05 AM — Welcome & Introductions
9:05–9:15 AM — TGNB Children: Where We’ve Been and Where We Are Now
9:15–9:25 AM — Understanding Integration: A Whole-Brain Perspective
9:25–9:40 AM — A New Integrative Understanding of Gender Development
9:40–9:50 AM — Unique Blocks to Integration for TGNB Children
9:50–10:05 AM — Gender Dysphoria and Right/Left Brain
10:05–10:20 AM — Strategies for Supporting Integration Around Gender Dysphoria
10:20–10:30 AM — Minority Stress and the Upstairs/Downstairs Brain
10:30–10:40 AM — Strategies for Supporting Integration Around Minority Stress
10:40–11:00 AM — Questions, Discussion, and Reflections
Training Faculty:
Caroline Carter, PsyD, LA Gender Center, licensed Clinical Psychologist – PSY 30377
Dr. Carter is an Affiliate Therapist with the Los Angeles Gender Center, where she has worked with TGNB for over the last 9 years. Dr. Carter works predominantly in LAGC’s Child and Adolescent Program and sees transgender and gender nonbinary clients weekly in South Pasadena.
Dr. Carter has a strong passion for working with TGNB youth and is firm believer in the primary role of positive and affirmative interpersonal connection and support for increasing resiliency among youth. This passion led Dr. Carter to co-develop Gender Camps, which hosts summer programs created to bring together TGNB youth ages 6-12.
Dr. Carter is also a group facilitator with Transforming Family, an organization which provides monthly support for families who have a TGNB child or adolescent. She currently serves as clinical support for the support group for parents of pre-adolescent children. Additionally, in 2014 Dr. Carter helped to develop LAGC’s Training Program and she is currently the Program Coordinator for LAGC’s continuing education development and implementation. Dr. Carter has trained clinicians and educators on gender diversity both locally and nationally. Dr. Carter earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and her Masters in Women’s Studies in Religion from Claremont Graduate University.
Noelle Wittliff, LMFT (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, certified Parent Educator, and certified Trauma Resiliency Practitioner based in Portland, OR, and Los Angeles, CA. Noelle specializes in supporting transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) youth and their families throughout the process of gender exploration and transition. She is co-authoring a forthcoming book on supporting TGNB children, inspired by The Whole-Brain Child, in collaboration with Dr. Caroline Carter. She’s also the founder and lead facilitator of Being & Belonging LGBTQIA+ Support Group, Mindful Kids, Mindful Tweens, and Mindful Teens PDX. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and completed her postgraduate clinical training at The Maple Counseling Center.
Continuing Education Credits:
This course offers 2 hours of continuing education credits through Illuminated Education. If you are licensed outside of California, please confirm with your board that they will accept programs sponsored by APA providers. For questions regarding continuing education credits, contact Dr. Chris Cooper of Illuminated Education, 626.744.9472.
Questions:
Feel free to contact Paige Hobey, Director of Community Education and Outreach, at 626-585-8075 ext. 121 or PHobey@IFGD.care.