These workshops are planned to share my experience and give a greater understanding of trans issues and some pitfalls you may need to avoid.

My workshops consistently achieve excellent feedback with average scores of 4.7/5 for “Meeting the stated objectives”, “Being effectively presented” and “I will be able to apply the learning”. I received the “Communications Award” at the first National Probation Service Diversity Awards and a Butler Trust Award as well as several Staff awards from Greater Manchester Probation Trust for this work.

You can, therefore, be assured of high quality and knowledgeable content.

The workshops can be tailored to suit your needs but I would recommend ½ day (2-2 ½ hour) sessions which would include:

• Trans terms – what they mean
• Understanding “trans” – including the transition process
• Issues faced by trans people
• Implications of legislation including Gender Recognition Act 2004 and Equality Act 2010
• How to avoid unlawful disclosure of “protected information” and consequential criminal record
• Questions and Answer session

The workshops include presentations and audience participation including syndicate sessions. If time is limited, the workshops can be compressed into about 50 minutes by reducing the audience participation aspects.

Typical 1/2 day/ evening Programme:

Working with Transgender Clients

in a Caring Environment

The numbers of individuals seeking treatment for Gender Variance (previously known as Gender Dysphoria) is, according to GIRES, doubling every five years. Referrals of young people (under 16) to the Tavistock Clinic are increasing exponentially.

As counsellors/ support workers, if you haven’t already worked with a trans client, there is a very good chance that you will.

I've been counselling trans people since 2001; I've also chaired a number of trans organisations and supported many individuals going through transition - including briefing their managers/ organisations especially in the public sector. Overall, I’ve probably worked with 1,000+ trans individuals. I’ve also been through the process myself and, whilst it’s important not to assume that all trans peoples’ experiences are the same (they are not) it has given me an insight into common situations we face.

Target Audience

This workshop will be of interest to those dealing with individuals with gender identity issues (transgender, transsexual, transvestite, intersexed, non-binary and gender fluid)* in Caring Environments – including Counsellors and Support Workers. As there is significant common ground between gender identity and sexuality, those working with gay, lesbian and bisexual clients should also find this workshop of value.

Outcomes

At the end of the workshop, attendees should be aware of:

• the gender identity spectrum, many of the labels used and what they mean
• the importance of the difference between sex and gender
• the nurture/ nature causality debate and how both nurture and nature affect trans people
• the relevance of brain sex and how we are all transgendered
• the "transitional journey" for transsexual people and issues that arise from that journey
• the importance of not disclosing “protected information” and the effects of the Gender Reassignment Regulations and the Gender Recognition Act – including avoiding getting a criminal record and a £5,000 fine for breaching the Act.
• implications of the Equality Act 2010

Delegates should also be in a position to avoid getting a criminal record themselves and facing a £5,000 fine.

Assessment as a Presenter

Typical evaluations from workshops:

Assessments of my presentations are consistently very positive - scoring an average of 4.7/5 on meeting objectives, effectively presented and delegates being able to apply the learning.

Comments on presentations/ workshops:

very good presentation. Fully made me aware of how little knowledge I had of the issues; thanks

comprehensive information well presented; I'd like more training

whole input was informative and empowering; very useful information delivered in an accessible manner

facilitator/ trainer very informed/ knowledgeable on subject

loads of useful information; needed to be longer

enjoyed the briefing, Helen made the event fun but filled us all in on all the facts and provided lots of insight and knowledge

the event should be mandatory for all staff to attend

Quite seriously it was the most fact filled, fascinating talk that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

I really enjoyed your talk. I usually get bored after 30 mins on zoom but you held my attention.

Search Site

Results appear on new page

* This website and the workshops use terminology some consider to be outdated to clarify differences between individuals who cross-dress but still identify as the gender they were assigned at birth and those who do not identify as that gender and have transitioned to a different gender.

This workshop can be offered as a face-to-face session for groups or for individual attendees on Zoom.

Click the link below for further details of the Zoom sessions.