Gender Trauma

by Alex Iantaffi, Meg-John Barker (Foreword)

Exploring how the essentialism of the gender binary impacts on clients of all genders, this ground-breaking book examines how historical, social and culturally gendered trauma emerges in clinical settings. Weaving together systemic ideas, autoethnography, narrative therapy and somatic experiencing, the book charts the history of the gender binary and its roots in colonialism, as well as the way this culture is perpetuated intergenerationally, and the impact this trauma has on all bodies, gender identities and experiences.

Featuring clinical vignettes, exercises and reflexive practices, this is an accessible and intersectional guide for professionals to develop their understanding of gender-derived trauma for supporting clients. Highlighting the importance of applying a trauma-informed approach in practice, this book provides insights as to how we can work towards collective healing, for future generations and for ourselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gender, Queer, Gender Studies, Psychology, LGBT, Transgender

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book more than I did. As a gender non-confirming therapist who works primarily with trans and non-binary clients there is a huge gap in literature on working with these clients and their traumas. The author brings up many important points and really emphasizes the horrible effects of settler colonialism and intersectionality. What turned me off was the writing style. A good editor could have made this book so much better. I appreciated the authors personal examples but it would have been great to have examples that were not just their experiences. The casual writing style (lots of religion and exclamation points) took away from the book. Again if you can get past that there is some important information here but I was expecting more of an academic book and this seems to be more of a self help book.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

In writing about Gender Trauma Alex Iantaffi has pulled together intersectional thinking on how 'settler colonialism, the patriarchy and gender essentialism are tightly woven together,' ideas that are becoming more apparent. The book is aimed at anyone wanting to understand more about gender and also at therapists working with anyone, as the book says, gender affects everyone including cis men and cis women. There is lots to digest in this book, best absorbed by allowing time to process what is being said. Alex helpfully includes a summary of key points at the end of every chapter and has also included 'stretches' where the reader is given space and prompts to examine their own thinking. There are several clinical examples too, little mini case studies, to help broaden your thinking rather than providing definitive answers on how to work with gender.

I enjoyed engaging with this book, noticing where it was easier and where it was less easy to read. I will definitely re-read it and look forward to discussing it with peers or listening to a podcast where it is discussed.

Thoroughly recommended for therapists who would like to expand their thinking around gender.

With thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was informative and here are a few things I learned:

1 ) gender roles are inherently tied to colonialism and the staging of the colonizing/imperial power as masculine and having ownership over “feminine” bodies is fundamental to our cis-hetero-capitalist world.


2 ) new word: andronormativity
- the idea that men and their experiences are “default” and everyone else’s are in addition to the male experience baseline


My criticisms:

- this book was EXTREMELY influenced/framed/limited within the author’s experience which they share in small pieces as they relate to the main topics. I understand the author not wanting to share all the details of their background but I feel that based on the nature of this book the book would have had stronger impact if the author wrote more about their personal experience with gender as an introduction, for example, and their experiences could have framed the theory provided in the book.

Overall, nice read and accessible to people who may not have background in queer or feminist theory.

[Jen Tidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, diverse, intersectional feminist book, directed at health practitioners, providers and educators, but of relevance to everyone. Alex Iantaffi discusses settler colonialism, cisgenderism, gender essentialism, biological determinism and historical/intergenerational trauma.

Colonialism has led to the loss of language, culture, gender identities, roles and expressions, and the loss of cultural, social and spiritual roles for gender-expansive people within their own communities. As a result, Black and indigenous LGBTQ2 people (and LGBTQ2 people in general) face higher levels of health disparity, mental health issues, addiction, HIV, bullying, harassment, violence, murder, police brutality, homelessness, suicide, and discrimination. In addition, even for cis men, toxic masculinity leads to poorer health and gender conformity leads to approval and validation seeking, and negative effects on wellbeing for all. This has rippled through society leading to objectification, ableism, intimate partner violence, and rape culture, all reproduced and enforced through law, politics, architecture, medicine and education.

Iantaffi concludes that the remedy is rooted in indigenous knowledge and practices, and connection, advocating for practices that promote the dismantling of a rigid gender binary, gender essentialism and cisgenderism. They emphasise the need for neurodecolonisation (decolonising the mind) through reflective practices, getting curious and irreverent about assumptions and stereotypes, using a trauma-informed approach that is slow., kind and consensual, and challenging all or nothing thinking.

This is a fascinating and essential read.

[Kevin Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely read, coming at a time when the intersection of so-called cancel culture, transgender rights, the historical record of indigenous peoples, Black Lives Matter, the fallout from the 2020 Presidential Election in the United States, and the pandemic are driving passionate and sometimes hostile debate.

Iantaffi deconstructs the gender binary, seeking to explore healing amongst historically persecuted people, and in so doing, drag debates that have existed mainly in highbrow or academic circles into the common vernacular.

A short book, made shorter by the use of extensive annotations, reads more like a workbook or guidebook than a coherent narrative.

[Alix Curnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.. interesting… interesting. Alex uses accessible language to describe intricate concepts. However, the book certainly is not an emotionally easy read. The way in which gender has traumatized us is not an incredibly soothing concept to grapple with.

I picked up this book thinking it would give me a better understanding of my own transness and non-binary gender identity. It definitely affirmed my identity, but it also opened up a lot of other points of discussion and schools of thought I had not expected.

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
4.75/5 stars

Alex Iantaffi's Gender Trauma explores intergenerational trauma, the intersectionality of trans and/or non binary people, and the relevance to patient/ client practice. Iantaffi's book serves as an introduction, guide book, and dissection of historical and current misrepresentation and mistreatment of transgender people especially by health practitioners. Iantaffi's Gender trauma is a must read for social workers, hospital personnel, and other medical professionals who interact with trans patients and clients-- the case studies/ vignettes throughout the chapters apply the knowledge learned while reading to a practical situation. Iantaffi also allots for space and time to acknowledge one's own privileges while reading and encourages further exploration of topics where one finds oneself facing resistance.

I enjoyed Iantaffi's Gender Trauma. As a trans MSW student, the book was relevant and informative, despite this already being an area of focus for me. I appreciated Iantaffi's vignettes and mid chapter challenges. I specifically appreciated their discussion of Indigenous people and the effects of settler colonialism-- something I have recently begun to engage with. While I was familiar with the specific gender trauma Indigenous people on Turtle Island/ North America have faced, Iantaffi's mention of the Sami and Aboriginal people were both areas I've yet to explore. I also appreciated Iantaffi's practical application and expertise throughout Gender Trauma.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading "Gender trauma" and definitely learnt something new. Though, at times it became quite overwhelming and intense as the topics discussed are sensitive. Maybe that's why I rushed through it a bit and didn't manage to use the reflective moments the author offers in the book. But otherwise, I discovered a lot of new things that were unknown to me before. I have never thought of gender as a concept impacted by (settler) colonialism and never connected them. I also like how the author takes a lot of aspects into consideration when talking about gender, like indigeniouty, disability, colour, LGBTQI+. Iantaffi also has a very compassionate approach and the author's background as a therapist is very present in the book. The only thing that I lacked somehow was a bit more depth. The topics discussed sometimes felt like only a very quick introduction, which I understand to some extent and the author mentions this as well, that is meant to be more as an invitation to do further reading and learn more ourselves. But the examples given could have been more diverse and not only coming from personal experiences.

[Tiff Monde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gender Trauma is an important book for therapists, social workers, students, and anyone interested in the complexity of gender as we know it. The book dives into the intersectionality of gender, race, sex, mental health, queerness and so many other areas.

At points it’s going to be a difficult read for the casual person, but the author includes thoughtful writing prompts to keep the reader engaged and involved. This will be one I re-read again in the future.

[Deanna Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly thought provoking book which fosters an open curiosity around gender, where our current notions of it come from, and how that impacts us in the present day. As someone who works in mental health, I appreciated not only the knowledge but the chance to reflect on my own positionality, how gender impacts myself and others, and how I can change my practice for the better. This book is a gem and I’ll certainly be returning back to it to give the information more of a chance to sink in!

[Anita Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend accessible and original read - Iantaffi is kind, wise and very experienced. Their words and wisdom are trauma-informed, gentle, inspiring and thoughtful. This book should be read widely.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Euro/NA-centric but some interesting concepts discussed. Pretty accessible read

[Carl Hendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything. I recommend it all the time. As a trans therapist myself I was unsure what to expect and have read it many times since my first read. It continues to be powerful and something that has informed my work as a therapist. I often joke if I had to be sworn in for something and pick a book that meant the most to me, it would be this book.