Response to Book Review Essay “Trying to Pass off Transphobia as Psychoanalysis and Cruelty as ‘Clinical Logic.’” by Avgi Saketopolou. Psychoanal. Q., 91:177-190.

As psychoanalytic clinicians who have worked with trans-identifying youth for many years, we resolutely agree with Avgi Saketopoulou's assertion that there are no one-size-fits-all formulations that adequately capture the diverse experiences of these youth. However, we argue that she falls seriously short of convincingly arguing her criticism of the Evanses’ understanding of gender dysphoria and their approach to working with trans-identified individuals. Instead, Saketopoulou, mischaracterizes the Evans's position as “so extreme…and so excessive in its claims,”1 and produces an ad hominem reprimand of colleagues rather than a reasoned critique of their book. That said, it is essential to carefully consider her main points in light of the developmental and psychoanalytic theories that have long informed and shaped clinical practice. For us, her problematic critique raises one of the most crucial questions in this debate: how do clinicians best help young people who are experiencing gender-related distress?

This is where Saketopoulou and the Evanses diverge, each privileging different discourses. Saketopoulou recommends that practitioners

immerse themselves in critical theory: queer theory, trans studies, trans of color critique, theories that she appears to privilege over established theories of psychoanalysis and human development. The Evanses, on their part, draw from a deep understanding of British Object Relations psychoanalytic theory and practice.

Saketopoulou claims that the Evanses neglect the possibilities and potential pleasures that trans makes available, seeing it only as a defensive structure. Surely there are at least some cases in which trans identification is a compensatory solution or, indeed, a psychic retreat.

Saketopoulou's position is perplexing, as she would surely agree that some cases of “normative” gendered ide