Katy Lees - The Trans Guide to Mental Health and Well-Being

Katy Lees has produced an excellent book to assist trans people with their mental health. Their easy-to-read guide includes straightforward information about various theoretical models and approaches, with useful strategies, tips, and techniques to aid readers to manage challenges such as self-harm, shame, depression, trauma, and much more.

Dr Jos Twist, clinical psychologist

Were living through a tough time indeed particularly for trans folk and most of us are feeling the toll its taking on our mental health. Katy Lees provides just the kind of friendly voice, and helping hand, we need at such times, reminding us why were struggling, and helping us to find what will work for get us through the hardest moments, whatever form those take. With plenty of practical suggestions and a lot of kindness, this book is just the resource trans people need right now.

Meg-John Barker, author of Hell Yeah Self-Care!

I wish someone had handed me this book ten years ago. In compassionate, accessible language Lees sets down what it takes many trans people decades to find out: that we are unique, valuable, and loved, and it does get better. I can already tell that this books lucid, practical advice is going to help so many people I cant wait to recommend it to everyone I know!

Eris Young, author of They/Them/Their

This is such a useful book, looking at the mental health struggles of trans people in both a systemic and a personal way, with flexible and creative approaches to self-care and a very community-based conceptualization of healing. The book doesnt flinch away from how hard it is being trans in the UK right now, and looking closely at the ways in which our mental health can be impacted. I appreciate that it doesnt give easy answers but still creates a wealth of resources. The self-disclosure of the author also humanizes the book and gives it a vibe of we are all struggling with this, heres a few things that can help, which makes it affirming and encouraging without being patronizing. There is also an incredible resource list at the end of the book and a practical guide to seeking therapy and other forms of help.

Sam Hope, author of Person-Centred Counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse People

This straightforward, accessible book is a great guide to techniques that you can use to improve your mental health even if you dont have access to counselling or support. It addresses key issues facing trans and non-binary people with clarity and understanding, explaining how common they are and what you can do to feel better. Do try this at home.

Jennie Kermode, author

This book contains everything I wish my younger non-binary self had known. As a trans elder and experienced psychotherapist, Katy shares just the right balance of information about mental health, practical tips, and personal insight to support trans people in navigating this complex issue. The supportive and nurturing tone of the book made me feel as though Katy was walking alongside me. Every trans person (and those wanting to support trans people) should read it!

Gem Kennedy, transformational practitioner, activist, and founder of Queers & Co. podcast

of related interest

The Anxiety Book for Trans People

How to Conquer Your Dysphoria, Worry Less and Find Joy

Freiya Benson

ISBN 978 1 78775 223 8

eISBN 978 1 78775 224 5

Yes, You Are Trans Enough

My Transition from Self-Loathing to Self-Love

Mia Violet

ISBN 978 1 78592 315 9

eISBN 978 1 78450 628 5

Trans Power

Own Your Gender

Juno Roche

ISBN 978 1 78775 019 7

eISBN 978 1 78775 020 3

The Trans Self-Care Workbook

A Coloring Book and Journal for Trans and Non-Binary People

Theo Lorenz

ISBN 978 1 78775 343 3

eISBN 978 1 78775 344 0

The Trans Guide to
Mental Health and
Well-Being

Katy Lees

First published in Great Britain in 2022 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

An imprint of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

An Hachette Company

Copyright Katy Lees 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Trigger Warning: This book mentions anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, substance abuse, suicide, trauma and transphobia.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library and the Library of Congress

ISBN 978 1 78775 526 0

eISBN 978 1 78775 527 7

Jessica Kingsley Publishers policy is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Carmelite House

50 Victoria Embankment

London EC4Y 0DZ

www.jkp.com

I want to start by thanking my kind, courageous, and brilliant fiance, Lucy, who patiently waited for me (and on me) while I spent evenings and weekends writing this book. She gave me erudite and caring opinions about what to include, gifted me advice and wisdom, cheered me on, cheered me up, and made me endless cups of coffee. I love you, Lucy thank you for loving me!

Next, I want to thank Andrew James, Emily Badger, Isabel Martin, Victoria Peters, and Bonnie Craig at Jessica Kingsley Publishers, who made the process of getting this book out into the world so much smoother and kinder than I ever thought it would be. Andrew, Emily, Isabel, Victoria, and Bonnie thank you for being an excellent team.

This book got its start because of Michelle Snow from the What The Trans!? podcast. Michelle deserves all kinds of accolades and gratitude for the amazing work she does, but I want to thank her specifically for initially giving me the voice that I used again to help people with this book. Michelle thank you for helping me speak up about trans mental health.

There are also the people who currently look after my mental health, who deserve more gratitude than I could ever convey. First is Gem Kennedy, a wonderful coach who has helped me to move forward, follow my actualizing tendency, and quieten my inner critic as I worked on creating this book (and as I learned to take my own self-care advice!). Gem thank you for helping me grow. Then theres Jessica Cadbury, a fantastic HAES-focused nutritional therapist, who has helped me to be kind to my body and mind, something that youll see echoed in the spirit of this book. Jessica thank you for helping me to find my energy.

I want to thank everyone at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) who supported my therapy training, from the dedicated tutors Michelle Oldale, Michelle Addison Raven, and Ambika Erin Connelly, to every amazing student that I met while I was there. So many of you are my friends now, and all of you have helped me to be the person, and the therapist, that I am today. SPTI friends thank you for the congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

Last but not least (but definitely the most clichd), Id like to thank my family. Over the 18 months it took me to write this book, my mum, Christine, and my step-dad, David, provided everything I needed to keep me strong and stable, while my sisters Mattie, Cara, and Cacilia have given me all kinds of laughter and light. There are also my niblings Alexander, Felicity, Scarlett, Brianna, Freya-May, and Caleb-John who remind me that the future is bright. Thank you, all, for being my foundation.