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 mental health and health professionals, educators, school counselors, professionals in child and adolescent development, and others working with youth.
For mental health professionals, medical team members, educators, and youth program leaders. This course includes 2 hours of APA continuing education credits.
Date:
Friday, September 26th 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 August 1st
- Then $150
- $85 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 mental health and health professionals, educators, school counselors, professionals in child and adolescent development, and others working with 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:
Dr. Caroline Carter (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Pasadena, California, holding expertise in working with transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) children, teens, and their families. Her clinical focus and advocacy are rooted in fostering affirming, developmentally attuned care for gender-diverse youth. Caroline is the author of Every Body Is a Rainbow, a children’s book about bodies written specifically for TGNB kids. Together with Noelle Wittliff, LMFT, she is co-authoring a new book that adapts The Whole-Brain Child framework to the unique needs of transgender children. Caroline is also the co-founder of Gender Camps, a summer program in Pasadena, CA for TGNB children ages 6–12, which she co-facilitates in partnership with the Institute for Girls’ Development.
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.