58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Affirmation Without Harm: Gender Euphoria, Disordered Eating, and Ethical Treatment with Trans and Gender-Diverse Clients (1 CE)
Start: 2026-11-07T14:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-07T15:30:00-0500

Affirmation Without Harm: Gender Euphoria, Disordered Eating, and Ethical Treatment with Trans and Gender-Diverse Clients (1 CE)

Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Session Feedback (for CEs)

Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience disproportionately high rates of disordered eating and eating disorders (Watson & Arcelus, 2024). This is often shaped by intersecting experiences of gender dysphoria, minority stress, body surveillance, and limited access to affirming care (Yesildemir and Akbulut, 2023). While much of the clinical literature has centered on alleviating dysphoria, emerging research and community-informed practice highlight the protective and therapeutic role of gender euphoria, the felt sense of affirmation, comfort, and joy in one’s gendered experience.

This session explores how gender euphoria can function as both a buffer against disordered eating behaviors and, at times, a complicating factor when attempts to modify the body intersect with restriction, over-exercise, or compensatory behaviors. Presenters will examine how disordered eating may develop or intensify in pursuit of gender affirmation, particularly when desired physical changes are constrained by biological, financial, medical, or sensory limitations.

Special attention will be given to clinical work with neurodivergent trans and gender-diverse clients, for whom common affirming practices (e.g., binders, tucking, long hair, certain clothing textures) may introduce sensory distress rather than relief. The session will also address self-of-the-therapist considerations, including clinicians’ emotional responses to persistent dysphoria, perceived loss of functioning related to hormonal or surgical interventions, and the ethical tension between affirmation and harm reduction.

Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and evidence-based discussion, participants will leave with practical strategies to support embodied care that promotes gender euphoria without reinforcing disordered eating patterns while sustaining therapist attunement, humility, and resilience.

Speakers

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

CEO & Licensed Professional Counselor, Phoenix Counseling Services, LLC

Dr. Tish Weikel (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience serving diverse client populations across Pennsylvania. She is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Counseling Services, a holistic, LGBTQIAP+ affirming care practice... Read More →

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

Mental Health Counselor, Alexandra R. Darion LLC

Goose (they/them) is a queer & trans, neurodivergent mental health therapist and yoga teacher. They are interested in the intersecting considerations of queer & trans and neurodivergent clients. Goose is inspired by their own mental health experiences and the experiences of their... Read More →

Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

60 Minute Education Session

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

Attendees (2)

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