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This book is undoubtedly a useful text, it is written in an accessible and straightforward style, covering a significant amount in short space of time and I am sure that trainees and novice therapists will find it of use as well as therapists more experienced in working with diverse experiences of gender. As the book mentions, this is a field changing at pace, as are the social and political worlds around us.
There are many strengths of the book and these include its core focus on youth, as well as its attention to family, school and other contexts, insight into the mental health needs of youth who are facing a stigmatising and oppressive world, and the importance of working with allies in health and social contexts. The passion of the writer is very evident and does, I suspect, play a role in drawing the reader in and helping them engage with these different areas.
I want to note an area that I was particularly struck by, and this is the attention that is given to the reader's own assumptions. This is often the most difficult factor for therapists wanting to work in this domain. The book not only encourages exploration of our underlying world views but also assists by walking readers through personal reflective exercises that help focus our attention on gendered expectations that we are all contaminated by to one degree or another.
There are two other issues that I want to draw readers' attention to. The first is that the book is very US focused and so some of the ideas, practices and recommendations may not to fit easily into UK contexts. This doesn't negate the value of the book but it does mean it cannot be utilised as ‘the essential guide’ that the sub-title suggests it could be. British readers will need to ensure that they consult the work of such British researchers as Richards, Bouman and Barker (2017), Richards and Barker (2013) and Moon (2008). The British Psychological Society guide (2012) is another useful (and free to members) document to consult.
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