The Whole-Brain Path to Supporting Transgender Childre: 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 clinicians, educators, and allied professionals who support TGNB children and their families.
This course includes 2 hours of APA continuing education credits.
Date:
Friday, June 20th from 9am to 11am
Continuing Education Credits:
2.0
Continuing education credit is given by our CE partner, Illuminated Education. Please go to the Illuminated Education website (www.IlluminatedEd.com) for more information.
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 7
- $150 after June 7
- $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.
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. Carter additionally serves as a group facilitator with Transforming Family, an organization which provides monthly support for families who have a TGNC child or adolescent. From 2011-2020 Dr. Carter worked with the Los Angeles Gender Center where she served as an Affiliate Therapist within LAGC’s Child, Adolescent & Family Service Program.
Dr. Carter has trained clinicians and educators on gender diversity both locally and nationally. Dr. Carter earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and her Masters in Women’s Studies in Religion from Claremont Graduate University. You can learn more about Dr. Carter at drcarolinecarter.com.
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.
CE Approval
Two units of Continuing Education credit are available through our continuing education partner, Illuminated Education. Illuminated Education is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Illuminated Education maintains the responsibility for this program and its content.
The California Board of Psychology accepts APA approval for continuing education credit. In addition, theCalifornia Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts APA approval for CE activities for MFTs, LCSWs, LPPCs and/or LEPs.
Outside of California, please check with your licensing board to see whether APA approval is accepted for CE credit in your state. Please check the Illuminated Education website (IlluminatedEd.com) or call Dr. Chris Cooper (Illuminated Education CE Coordinator) if you have further questions (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.
