Writing
Theorizing Transgender Identity for Clinical Practice: A New Model for Understanding Gender
Providing new approaches for exploring gender identity and expression, this book is ideal for clinical practice with transgender and gender nonconforming/diverse clients. Importantly, it moves beyond the medical model to advance an understanding of transgender subjectivity as a natural variation of gender in humans. The book deepens understanding of the developmental trajectory of trans and gender non-conforming individuals over their lifespan, before and beyond transition, by offering new theories on gender. Drawing on theories from a range of different fields including psychoanalysis, philosophy, neuroscience, consciousness studies, trauma therapy, sex therapy, gender theory, disability studies, and trans studies, it illustrates how informed clinical practice can recognise the complexity of gender identity and expression. With chapters on the understanding of core gender through the Free Energy Principle, the foundations of gender in consciousness, a gender algorithm, trauma, mirroring, and sexual functioning, this book works to provide a superior method of clinical practice that can better serve trans communities and our understanding of gender across the population.
Hachette UK/Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2019
Lambda Literary Finalist 2020
Most literature for therapists about transgender mental health focuses on cultural competency. This book goes beyond "Trans 101," exploring in much more depth the development of the gendered self and the role of gender in consciousness. With roots in both psychoanalytic and academic worlds, Langer provides clinicians with new ways of theorizing gender that both benefit from these traditions and push them forward.
Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, MA - Trans Bodies Trans Selves / "You're in the Wrong Bathroom!" and 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions
This book will be essential to both new and seasoned clinicians working with transgender communities. Langer expands our understanding of transgender experience from an interdisciplinary approach. The in-depth chapters of trauma, sex and development are a unique examinations of these clinical issues and their relation to trans experience. The theory and practice in this book contributes to clinical psychology, trans studies, consciousness studies, sex therapy and trans health.
Dr. Lin Fraser, EdD - WPATH Past President Co-Chair- Global Education Initiative
S.J. Langer has generated intriguing ideas that will be of immediate interest to the interdisciplinary field of trans* studies. Beyond essentialist trapping and visual policing of identities, he theorizes transgender experience as a synesthetic "surprise" that involves a complex interaction between one's perceptions of internal biophysiology and their responses to social mirroring.
Chris Straayer, Ph.D., Associate Professor, New York University, author of Deviant Eyes, Deviant Bodies
Articles
Examining the prevalence of trans phantoms among transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse individuals: An exploratory study
Langer, Caso, Gleichman (2023) International Journal of Transgender Health
DOI:10.1080/26895269.2022.2164101
Gender is a Complex Number and The Case for Trans Phantoms
Studies in Gender & Sexuality (2022)
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/K5TBYHNXFZ7INCD7ARRD/full?target=10.1080/15240657.2022.2072577
Development of the Gender Embodiment Scale: Trans Masculine Spectrum. Transgender Health (2021) DuBois, L.Z., Puckett, J. & Langer, S.J.
Trans Bodies and the Failure of Mirrors
Winner of the Symonds Prize from Studies in Gender and Sexuality (2016)
Integration of Desire, Sexual Orientation, & Female Embodiment of a Transgender Woman Previously Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Violeta, K. & Langer, S.J. Jnl of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health (2017)
Our Body Project: From Mourning to Creating the Transgender Body
International Journal of Transgenderism (2014)
Gender (dis)agreement: A Dialogue on the Clinical Implications of Gendered Language
Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health (2011)
How Dresses Can Make You Mentally Ill: Examining Gender Identity Disorder in Childhood
Langer, S. & Martin, J. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (2004)
Chapters
Knowing and Acting: On Intersectionality and Countertransference in Clinical Work, (2022) In
Intersectionality in the Arts Psychotherapy
Intersectionality and the Arts Psychotherapies advocates for contextualising of clinical thinking and experience within a social and political framework that acknowledges the importance of intersectionality. Bringing reflections on their own identity and their professional knowledge to the work, creative therapists address both practical work with clients and the theory behind these therapeutic practices. A call to reflexivity allows the reader to consider their own position as a practitioner.
These chapters will challenge and develop thinking on intersectional identities. Beyond the individual, the book demonstrates the need to embed knowledge of intersectionality in the profession at large. Experienced practitioners write from diverse perspectives across the arts psychotherapies, exploring how structures of power, privilege and prejudice influence practice and outcomes.
Hachette UK/Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Chapters
Supporting Sexuality Across the Gender Spectrum: An Interdisciplinary Approach, (2019) In Sex, Sexuality
and Trans Identities: Clinical Guidance for Psychotherapists and Counselors, Edited by Jacobson, G.,
Niemira, J. & Violeta, K. Jessica Kingsley Publishers
A specialist book for mental health professionals, sex therapists and educators to develop and improve their clinical work with trans clients with regards to their sexual relationships and sexuality. It provides an interdisciplinary exploration of the subject, and relates to both clinical practice and theory.
Chapters
IPT with Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals in Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Global Reach (2024)
Jeremy D. Kidd, Roma Kaczmarkiewicz, S.J. Langer, Claire Koljack, Tonda L. Hughes.