Jess Westcott - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jess Westcott
The Humanistic Psychologist
Scholars in the field of counseling psychology have called for the implementation of positive psy... more Scholars in the field of counseling psychology have called for the implementation of positive psychology, specifically through emphasis on client strengths and resources (Seligman, 2002). Researchers and clinicians suggest the use of a strengths-based approach with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary (LGBT/NB) clients in order to buffer against minority stress (Meyer, 2003). Furthermore, emphasizing LGBT/NB client strengths challenges the historical focus on deficits of sexual and gender minoritized individuals in psychology research and practice (Vaughan & Rodriquez, 2014). Scholars have specifically recommended that clinicians working with LGBT/NB clients include questions about strengths on the intake form (Lytle, Vaughan, Rodriguez, & Shmerler, 2014; Owens, Magyar-Moe, Lopez, 2015). However, after an exhaustive review of the literature, the author was unable to find any evaluation of the self-reported strengths of LGBT/NB clients at intake. This dearth of literatu...
Psychology & Sexuality, 2019
Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psy... more Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psychological as well as physical, that is unique to their home country's context. Some of the contributing factors are nations' health care systems, laws and policies surrounding discrimination, adequate resources, and under-trained health care professionals. Unfortunately, inability or difficulty in accessing transition related health care and support leads to negative impacts on mental health. In this article, the authors describe the unique contexts related to transgender health care in Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. We focus specifically on the financial cost of transition for trans and gender diverse people, including gender affirming surgeries as well as mental and health care more broadly. We discuss the role of mental health professionals as advocates for gender affirming care and the fundamental human right to health care. We include discussions of therapy, assessment, medical care such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries, and additional invisible costs. We highlight the importance for all mental health professionals to be aware of the impacts to trans and gender diverse people's mental health when their fundamental health care needs are not met. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for how mental health professionals can advocate for their clients' access to transition related care.
The Humanistic Psychologist
Scholars in the field of counseling psychology have called for the implementation of positive psy... more Scholars in the field of counseling psychology have called for the implementation of positive psychology, specifically through emphasis on client strengths and resources (Seligman, 2002). Researchers and clinicians suggest the use of a strengths-based approach with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary (LGBT/NB) clients in order to buffer against minority stress (Meyer, 2003). Furthermore, emphasizing LGBT/NB client strengths challenges the historical focus on deficits of sexual and gender minoritized individuals in psychology research and practice (Vaughan & Rodriquez, 2014). Scholars have specifically recommended that clinicians working with LGBT/NB clients include questions about strengths on the intake form (Lytle, Vaughan, Rodriguez, & Shmerler, 2014; Owens, Magyar-Moe, Lopez, 2015). However, after an exhaustive review of the literature, the author was unable to find any evaluation of the self-reported strengths of LGBT/NB clients at intake. This dearth of literatu...
Psychology & Sexuality, 2019
Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psy... more Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psychological as well as physical, that is unique to their home country's context. Some of the contributing factors are nations' health care systems, laws and policies surrounding discrimination, adequate resources, and under-trained health care professionals. Unfortunately, inability or difficulty in accessing transition related health care and support leads to negative impacts on mental health. In this article, the authors describe the unique contexts related to transgender health care in Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. We focus specifically on the financial cost of transition for trans and gender diverse people, including gender affirming surgeries as well as mental and health care more broadly. We discuss the role of mental health professionals as advocates for gender affirming care and the fundamental human right to health care. We include discussions of therapy, assessment, medical care such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries, and additional invisible costs. We highlight the importance for all mental health professionals to be aware of the impacts to trans and gender diverse people's mental health when their fundamental health care needs are not met. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for how mental health professionals can advocate for their clients' access to transition related care.