Healing Gendered Trauma: An Intersectional and Systemic Perspective

In this keynote, the presenters will highlight how rigid gender binaries are part of the legacy of settler--colonialism and cishetero patriarchal norms that systemically impact all bodies, albeit in a range of different ways. They will address how the ways in which our bodies are gendered intersect with the ways in which we are racialized, normed and read in dominant culture and how these intersections of identities and experiences impact our mental health. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own experiences and on what might their role as mental health providers be within the context of healing from (cis)gendered trauma. Examples from both clinical practice and lived experiences will be provided to illustrate the points made in this talk. By the end of the session, participants will be more aware of how pervasive cisgendersim is, how it impacts their personal and professional lives, and how they might choose to engage with healing gendered trauma in their practices and everyday life.

1. Define key concepts including cisgenderism, gendered trauma, gender binaries as they relate to cultural trauma, and nonbinary ways of thinking about gender.
2. Describe how gender binaries impact individuals based on historical and systemic rules and norms.
3. Explain how cisgenderism impacts the work that is done by mental health professionals and the clients that are served.
4. Apply effective interventions from the current literature and research in the field that will help clients address the gender-based trauma that has occurred, including identifying potential challenges to using these interventions with clients.

Target Audience: This program is designed for psychologists and other behavioral health professionals in related fields.
Intermediate Level: Assumes post-doctoral education status and general familiarity with topic
Note: Slides are not avaialable for this session

This session qualifies for 1.5 continuing education credits. You must attend the full program to receive continuing education credit.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.