Group therapy is helpful. The contrast between traditional multigenerational cultures and today’s North American society is striking; the parent and extended family bonds are not as strong as they once were.[137] In times of crisis, there is a gap between what people need and what is provided. Group treatment can be an encouraging support during recovery. In a study, following 16 weeks of group treatment, participants changed significantly on a measure of codependence.“ Those results indicated that group counselling appears to reduce addiction and dependence.”[138] Meditation and joining a support group can also be helpful. 

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The 12-steps:

 

The benefits of meditation are that it will lower or normalize blood pressure, pulse rate, and stress hormone levels. Meditation lowers excitability, as shown in brain wave research, and lowers the need for an individual to overcompensate, seeking strokes in negative ways. “Meditation also raises the pain threshold and reduces one's biological age. Its benefits are multiplied when combined with regular exercise.”[139] The positive aspects of meditation, prayer, yoga, long walks, etc., can be enhanced by group activities.  

 

 

1. Re-label the dysfunctional thought: “I’m only having an obsessive thought.”

2. Re-attribute the feeling by putting it in the context of a false message programmed into the Child ego state.  

3. Re-focus: “It will pass”; the brain is taught not to obey compulsion. 

4. Re-value: Here, an individual re-evaluates the impact of the addictive urge on the self and the environment.

5. Re-create: Mindfully honouring the self through creativity and play allows the individual to continue transcending and developing new passions, self-actualizing, and increasing their bond with others. Group Becoming is part of recovery.  

 

(Simplified step-method in addiction recovery)[140] 

 

 

Many transgender identified individuals have addiction issues. AA has been used to address any kind of addiction for millions of people over the years. In step 1, “We admit that we are powerless over our addictions and that our lives have become unmanageable. The “we” is important because belonging is the cure for addiction. 

 

Finding a good developmental psychologist to intervene with family therapy is the best route to help a child recover from identity confusion.

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Other Resources:

Our Duty Canada

Advocates Protecting Children

Genspect

 

12-Step Help Groups:

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• AA, NA, CA

• Sex Addicts Anonymous

• Co-Sex Addicts Anonymous

• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

• S-ANON Family Groups

• Overeaters Anonymous

• ALANON

• ALATEEN

• Anorexia Anonymous

• Codependents Anonymous

• Gamblers Anonymous

• (Transgender Anonymous? (possibility very soon!) 

 

The 12-step programs are not for everyone, but they help people clear their thinking for free. Knowing one’s strengths is the first step in increasing those strengths. We all need people skills and boundaries; recovery groups can help in this way. No matter what group, avoid staying in groupthink. The warmth of believing and acting together can be powerful, but groupthink is a loss of autonomy. 

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Gestalt Prayer: 

I am me and you are you 

I am not in this world to live up to your expectations

and you are not in this world to live up to mine 

I do my thing 

And you do your thing 

If we should meet it is beautiful 

If not, it can’t be helped. (Born to Win)[141]