Fear of Thought and Curiosity Associated with Transition

One of the challenges in working in this area is the fear of engaging in deeper thought. This fear is present both at an individual and a group level. Exploration—examining different perspectives and tolerating the frustrations and limitations inherent in thoughtful inquiry, such as uncertainty and the need for continuous learning—is often perceived as a threat. People often adopt rigid, certain ways of thinking to cope with the anxieties associated with conflict and confusion.

This presents a problem for the clinician. They must empathise with the individual's feelings of threat and fear of fragmentation while maintaining the independence of mind needed to continue thinking critically and exploring multiple perspectives on the person's presenting issues. Doing so requires courage, experience, and training. It also necessitates a clinical environment that fosters and supports this culture of thought and curiosity, highlighting the audience's role in creating and maintaining such an environment.

Unfortunately, this curiosity and open inquiry environment is often stifled by external threats and misleading narratives, a concern that should motivate us all. For example, parents might be hesitant to question and explore their children's beliefs due to the 'alive trans child or dead child' rhetoric, which heightens fear and discourages open exploration. Addressing these external threats is crucial to fostering a more open and supportive clinical environment.

While recognising the individual's vulnerability is crucial, it can also generate anxiety. This anxiety often leads to a defensive mindset characterised by rigid certainty and fixed beliefs. The therapist's task is to attune to these underlying anxieties while building a bridge between their curiosity about the person behind the rigid structure and the individual's acknowledged fears.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/24/nhs-equality-training-staff-wrong-pronouns-trans-suicide/