Confessions of a Trans-Care Propagandist | Sara Stockton | EP 342

"Confessions and Reflections: Sara Stockton on Navigating Gender Care"

Introduction:

In episode 342 of the podcast, Sara Stockton, a therapist with extensive experience in gender care, discusses the complexities and ethical challenges she has faced in her practice. Stockton, who has been involved in creating assessment tools for transgender care and has featured in prominent documentaries, shares her journey of navigating the evolving landscape of transgender healthcare and advocacy.

Core Concepts and Philosophies:

• Evolving Standards of Care: Stockton details how the standards for transgender care have shifted over time, with an increasing focus on rapid access to hormone treatments and surgeries, which she views with caution.

• Ethical Concerns in Practice: She raises ethical concerns about the current push towards affirming transitions without sufficient psychological evaluation, especially for children and adolescents.

• Importance of Comprehensive Assessment: Emphasizing the need for thorough and multidimensional assessments before proceeding with life-altering treatments, Stockton advocates for returning to more rigorous evaluative processes.

Practical Strategies and Advice:

• Slow and Comprehensive Evaluation: Encourages healthcare providers to adopt longer, more detailed assessment periods to fully understand the patient's psychological, social, and physical needs before beginning any medical transitions.

• Education and Awareness: Suggests that practitioners and families should be educated about the complexities of gender dysphoria and the potential consequences of premature treatment.

• Support Systems: Highlights the importance of building robust support systems for individuals exploring their gender identity, including therapy and community support.

Supporting Evidence:

Throughout the podcast, Stockton references her own professional experiences and the historical context of transgender care assessments, illustrating how past practices may offer valuable insights into current debates and practices.

Personal Application:

Stockton shares her personal journey from a specialist in gender-affirming care to a critic of some current practices. Her transformation was influenced by her direct experiences in the field, interactions with patients, and the outcomes she witnessed.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques:

• Guided Therapeutic Practices: Recommends reintegrating in-depth psychological assessments into the standard care procedures for transgender patients.

• Collaborative Care Models: Advocates for a collaborative model involving psychologists, psychiatrists, and endocrinologists to ensure all aspects of the patient’s well-being are addressed.

• Public and Professional Education: Calls for increased public and professional dialogues to raise awareness about the diverse needs and appropriate care standards for transgender individuals.

This episode offers a profound insight into the nuanced perspectives of a seasoned therapist on the front lines of gender care, providing a call for thoughtful, patient-centered approaches in the face of rapidly changing medical practices and societal norms.