# Psychologists’ reflections on a trans and gender-diverse group at Baragwanath Hospital

## TL;DR

This paper shares insights from psychologists who ran a support group for trans and gender-diverse individuals in South Africa, highlighting the need for more such services.

## Contribution

The study provides novel personal reflections from facilitators on TGD support groups in a South African public healthcare setting.

## Key findings

- Themes like misgendering and collective self-esteem emerged from the support group sessions.
- Facilitators emphasized the importance of reparation and empathy in supporting TGD individuals.
- The study supports the value of TGD support groups in public healthcare.

## Abstract

Statistics indicated that, in 2019, over 3 million of South Africa’s population of 58 million people presented as gender non-conforming. This is challenging, as in South Africa, the Western binary concept is still prevalent. In light of the above, South African research on trans and gender-diverse (TGD) interventions is essential. There is limited research on existing TGD group interventions in a South African public context.

This article aimed to report on the personal reflections of the two clinical psychologists who co-facilitated a support group for TGD people at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH). This study highlights the importance of group intervention in particular.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in South Africa.

A reflexive thematic analysis was utilised. Thoughts and self-reflective themes discussed after each group were included. No participants or instruments were utilised in this research.

The following themes were identified in this research: gaps in our knowledge, the role of facilitators, misgendering and gender fluidity, collective self-esteem, corrective experience and basic rights.

This group contributed to our learning and development as facilitators. The role of reparation and empathy as facilitators was highlighted.

The results support the importance of support groups for TGD individuals in public healthcare as well as the further development of healthcare professionals. Because of a scarcity of psychological services rendered in public hospitals to TGD people, this article may potentially be a rich source of data for future TGD support groups and/or services.