Supporting transgender students: School counselors' preparedness, training efforts, and necessary support

Negative school climate and oppressive policies and laws significantly impact the psychological and academic well-being of transgender students in the United States. LGBTQ students consistently identify school counselors as the most supportive school staff member. Although school counselors have the ethical obligation to advocate for transgender students in their schools, little is known about transgender-specific training for school counselors or efforts by school counselors to train school staff about the needs of transgender students. The current study explored: 1) school counselors' readiness to work with transgender students; 2) counselors' efforts to train school personnel on transgender issues; and 3) self-reported type of support school counselors need from school personnel to appropriately and effectively provide services to transgender students. Results show that school counselors lack transgender-specific training, both during training programs and on-the-job. Also, participants shared that their efforts to train other staff on transgender issues was overwhelmingly met with administrative resistance. Finally, participants described different types of support they need from school personnel in order to effectively provide services to transgender students. Recommendations for improving transgender-specific training and ways to support school counselors' advocacy for transgender students are discussed.