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. 2016;10(3):136-149.
doi: 10.1080/15538605.2016.1177806. Epub 2016 May 16.

Transgender Clients' Experiences of Eating Disorder Treatment

Mary E Duffy  1 , Kristin E Henkel  1 , Valerie A Earnshaw  2   3
Affiliations

Transgender Clients' Experiences of Eating Disorder Treatment

Mary E Duffy et al. J LGBT Issues Couns. 2016.

Abstract

This study examined the treatment experiences of transgender individuals with eating disorders (EDs). Despite this population's elevated risk for EDs, clinicians may be ill equipped to treat these clients. Eighty-four transgender individuals with EDs completed an online questionnaire about their experiences with ED treatment. Inductive thematic analysis produced three themes: role of the body in treatment, negative experiences with clinicians, and recommendations for treatment centers and providers. Participants reported deficits in clinicians'gender competence, resulting in beliefs that ED treatment was ineffective, sometimes harmful. Further attention to this population's needs is crucial, as inadequate care is potentially life threatening.

Keywords: Competence training; counselor education; eating disorders; gender identity; transgender.

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