Transsexualism and Existentialism

Authors

  • Christina Richards Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65828/tta2tk68

Keywords:

Transsexual, trans, transvestite, transgender, authenticity, facticity, gender, givens.

Abstract

This paper explores existential themes encountered in therapeutic practice with transsexual (trans) people. Drawing from her experience as a clinician within a large NHS clinic concerned with transgender care the author outlines the nexus of transsexualism with choice, freedom, authenticity, the existential 'givens', facticity and the making of a 'leap to faith'.

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Published

2011-07-01

Cite This Article

Transsexualism and Existentialism. (2011). Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 22(2), 272-279. https://doi.org/10.65828/tta2tk68
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