Transgender Women And Depression Cbt Approaches

Transgender women and Depression: CBT Approaches This paper will address the following topics in relation to applying TA-CBT strategies to Transgender women contending with depression. Why depression is a problem among transgender women, how CBT can be applied to working with women who are dealing with depression, the history and development of CBT, how TA-CBT can be used in practice, and evidence that supports the application of TA-CBT in treating depression among Transgender women. By utilizing a TA-CBT approach when working with clients who identify as Transgender women, Social Workers can reduce the severity and prevalence of depression experienced by this vulnerable population. Why Depression is a Problem among Transgender women In the United States Transgender women (individuals who are sex-assigned male at birth but identify as female) experience high rates of severe depression due to pervasive discrimination that they face in society. According to Hoffman (2014), when compared to the general population, Transgender individuals experience much higher rates of depression with estimates as high as 62% (as cited in Clements-Noel, Marx, Guzman, and Katz, 2001). Due to these high rates of depression, Transgender women are at increased risk for overall negative health outcomes, which severely limits them from living happy, healthy, and productive lives. According to studies by Nemoto, Operario, Keatley, Nguyen, and Sugano, (2005) there is a growing understanding of the