Our conference schedule is in development and is subject to change. Additional sessions will be added. Occasionally, a presenter has to cancel or a session needs to move from its scheduled day and time. Please review as the conference dates near for any changes that may have occurred.
In This Together: Support, Community, and Connection for Parents of Trans Kiddos
Workshop Description
Our busy lives can leave us feeling isolated and disconnected, this session offers an opportunity to cultivate community and connection through sharing our stories and listening to others. As parents and family of transgender kids, we are most often providing support to them and centering their stories. But many of us know that the family transitions too, and parents deserve a place to process our feelings and experiences. During this support group session, we will co-create a space where non-judgmental sharing, connecting with other parents, and self care can happen. This will be a facilitated support group for parents and family members of transgender children. Experienced facilitators will use the GPS (Group Peer Support) model and guidelines to help create a brave space where participants can talk about and process their journey of supporting their trans family members. Participants will learn skills along the way such as non-judgmental listening, mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, and self compassion.
Primary Contact
Crystal Gurney
Workshop Presenter's Names
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5490ca1ee2e8ba23eae8382ea89386d8.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Crystal Gurney")
Crystal Gurney
Professional Suffix (e.g., MD, LCSW)
Pronouns (ex. she, they, he, etc.)
Presenter Bio
Crystal Gurney is a Life Doula, listener, and community builder. A former birth doula, and mom of 8, including one amazing transgender kiddo. With 7 years of experience leading support groups, she’s used to big feelings about tender topics. She is a Master Trainer for Group Peer Support (GPS) and helps doulas and other helping professionals learn about broaching potentially sensitive topics with the families they work with. She highly values art as a mode of processing grief and trauma, and often uses it as a part of her work around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and birth trauma.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f87fd82ae8a9e4a5828047e6087d267.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Alex Iles")
Alex Iles
Professional Suffix (e.g., MD, LCSW)
Pronouns (ex. she, they, he, etc.)
Presenter Bio
Alex Iles is a Pacific NW native and dad to 8 awesome kids, including one transgender child. He has 20+ years in the aerospace industry, managing teams and through that career discovered a passion for bringing people together, building community and coaching. As a certified coach, he works with people to help them discover their strengths and move toward their goals. As a group facilitator, he appreciates listening to the stories of others and the potential connections that happen during groups.