Helping Families Navigate Gender Questions - A Catholic Therapist's Perspective (Chiles v Salazar)

Licensed psychologist and Catholic author Dr. Julia Sadusky joins us to talk about real-world care for gender-questioning teens: treating co-occurring anxiety/depression first, avoiding fixed-outcome therapy, and using her “plateau” approach instead of an all-or-nothing push to medical transition. We discuss faith-congruent, trauma-informed practice, “God image vs. God concept” work for kids who wonder if God likes them, how parents can help without shame, why causal “wound” theories don’t hold up, how to vet a therapist, when to refer out, and what gives her hope for LGBTQ+ youth and the Church.

00:00 Discussing Gender Identity and Faith
05:34 Navigating Faith and Gender in Therapy
07:58 Dr. Julia's Journey into Gender and Sexuality Work
12:28 Balancing Catholic Faith and Clinical Practice
16:46 Understanding Gender Transition and Therapy
21:24 Parental Concerns and Gender Patience
27:18 Theology of the Body and Gender Identity
32:56 The Ex-Gay Narrative and Its Impact
40:22 Therapy for LGBTQ+ Individuals and Religious Concerns
45:36 Therapist Competence and Client Needs
49:47 Addressing Spiritual Questions in Therapy
57:12 Gratitude and Hope for the Future