Title: The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens & Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity
Author(s): Rylan Jay Testa (PhD), Deborah Coolheart (PhD), Jayme Peta (MA)
In the YP library? 1 Staff Copy (so far), but scans are available.
Synopsis: If you are a transgender and/or gender-nonconforming teen, you may experience unique challenges with identity and interpersonal relationships. In addition to experiencing common teen challenges such as body changes and peer pressure, you may be wondering how to express your unique identity to others. The Gender Quest Workbook incorporates skills, exercises, and activities from evidence-based therapies—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to help you address the broad range of struggles you may encounter related to gender identity, such as anxiety, isolation, fear, and even depression.
Despite outdated beliefs, gender no longer implies being simply male or female, but rather a whole spectrum of possibilities. This fun, engaging workbook is designed specifically for teens like you who want to explore the concept of gender and gender identity and expression—whether you already identify as TGNC or are simply questioning your gender identity.
Why we like it: “This guide offers exercises, activities and questions to think about while you are exploring your ideas about gender, or your gender identity and expression. Sometimes people need support in thinking through questions about gender, and it can be helpful to put your thoughts down on paper, or communicating your needs to the people around you. This guide has chapters on gender, families and relationships, communication and more, and might be helpful to those needing more concrete steps to work through to find out where they’re most comfortable. It’s not a step-by-step guide, as much as it’s a tool to get you thinking about what best represents you, and how to build on that”. -Sheena, YP Support Services Coordinator.