Hi, I'm looking for a professional who specialises in children who go agaisnt gender norms and who understands natural self expression. My son like girls stuff because they're pretty and comfortable but his fathers not supportive and wants him to get councilling because he thinks he's gender confused. While he's not showing any signs of gender confusion at almost 7 years old his father might demand it through court so I want to be prepared. Yes I'm the mum who recently wrote about my sons father threatening court over dresses after being away for awhile and it seems he may be trying to after a call from my lawyer if I don't agree to councilling. I'm in adelaide.
5 Replies
Your best option is to go to the GP and go into the room first without your son, speak to the doctor about it and then get the appropriate referral :)
Well done for protecting your son!
If you and your son's father are willing, could you also maybe attend a family counselling session to try and help him to express himself in a more professional setting where things can be in the air with the guidance of a counsellor?
I wouldn't worry, i have seen two child psychologists and they both look at the whole picture and the child's wellbeing, and they are very careful that they are the child's safe space, so while they will meet with parents and guide, they won't indulge in side-taking or anything that jeopardises their ability to help the child, the child is their concern. I don't think you will have any dramas with any well-regarded child psychologist.
I also think that while taking a child to a psychologist for non-issues can send the wrong message, it would reflect well on you to line one up and do the initial meeting yourself alone, to gain some information for yourself and in the interest of your child and considering his fathers concerns. Then take it from there depending on what they say.
Make sure it's a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist
Beyond Blue have kids councilling for gender matters
They are amazing 7/8 yrs is approximately when majority know what and how they feel
About themselves