People with issues about their gender identity are often vulnerable to the attitudes of those around them. Phil Blunden and Julie Dale suggest that positive staff attitudes are vital in helping them to seek a new identity

This article uses the case of ‘Katharine’ to consider the care given in mental health services to people with unresolved issues relating to their gender identity. Katharine’s case suggests that attitudes towards such people, even among health professionals, are often unhelpful and sometimes discriminatory. The authors suggest that while negative comments can cause enduring damage to people with gender dysphoria, health staff with positive attitudes can help clients’ decision making and self-acceptance.