Customer Reviews

Transition and Beyond, Observations On Gender Identity

5 star:		(7)
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I think it is the best book I've read about transsexual issues, perhaps because of his dual perspectives (transsexual and therapist). The book is loaded with personal stories of transsexual people, family, friends, employers,etc. The author also includes comments about his own transition.

I am myself currently in therapy for TS in order to transition M2F. Up to now, I never though I could find an informed book about this specific subject. That's done now. I will hand it over to my therapist. This will give him a deeper insight of what's happening. Dare I say: this book should be given the status of MUST READ for all psys and alike. Thank you very much Reid for sharing this with us.

This is the best resource I have found for working with transgender clients! Reid covers the fluidity of gender identity, the polar effects of male/female socialization in U.S. culture, transgender hormones and surgeries. However, he goes beyond these basics to delve into what might come up after surgery. He shares his insight in working with conservative religious points of view, partners and families, and transgender children. There are also some thoughtful parallels with transition and addiction recovery. This book will be helpful for therapists, people considering transition and their families. - Fran Overall, MA, LADAC

Since my 'father' came out as trans a year ago, this is the third book I have read and would highly recommend it. Although I really admire Helen Boyd's courageous explorations in her two books (the first two I read), for me they were a bit too personal, confronting and emotional as a first read (that's telling you more about my state of mind at the time than her otherwise excellent books). Reid's compassion, thoughtfulness, intelligence and very balanced/grounded clarity were a 'safer' and a reassuring introduction to this provoking subject. Not to mention that it was a relief to find chapters dedicated to partners/ children of trans people. I SO appreciate the insight and information gained and it has helped me to 'normalise' something that was utterly shocking to me 12 months ago. There's also a really helpful booklist (also on his site if you don't want to buy the book.)

A very comprehensive, well-written manual regarding every aspect of work with transitioning clients. I recommend it highly and will continue to refer to it in my work.

-Jerry Deckelbaum, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Finally! A compassionate and insightful perspective on transgender issues from a mental health care practitioner. Although I am not trans, I do a lot of research on the issue and am fascinated with what transgendered individuals have to offer a society that refuses to see past a dichotomous view on gender. So many of the things that other professionals have to say are very clinical and biased - they rarely approach gender identity as something other than a diagnosis to be scrutinized and quantified. I would recommend this book to a wide audience - professionals, partners, friends, coworkers, family, and anyone who takes issue with the way that our society constructs and enforces gender.

This is a thought provoking guide through the world of trans gender identity. The personal experience of the author is revealing and touching and dare I say "eye-opening". It had to be painful to open himself up and relive his journey from F2M; but in doing so he has provided others with tremendous insight and help as they work through their own transistions. Any therapist working with clients with gender issues should have this book in their reference library. If you happen to live in Portland and searching for transgender help, look him up!