Free Workshops for Parents of Gender Diverse Teens
Supporting parents to feel confident during an insecure time.
Parenting Beyond the Binary: Free Workshops for Families of Gender-Diverse Youth
All parents/caregivers of gender-diverse youth are welcome to participate in our free workshop series hosted by psychotherapist (MSW) Kastin Bradley. Keep reading for information on our workshops and therapy offerings specifically for parents and trans teens. Click below to register!
Workshops are hosted on Zoom from 7:30 - 8:30 PM EST.
Sunday, October 20th
Sunday, November 17th
Sunday, December 15th
As many television programs have teased over decades - parents make an effort to get “the lingo” of their kids when trying to connect with them. If your teenager has come out to you as trans, you may be navigating language and name shifts, as well as terms for supports or community that are completely new to you. But - as you already know - parenting a trans or gender-diverse teen doesn’t solely consist of replacing pro-nouns and knowing terms like “binders”. Just like the rest of your parenting journey, it’s a time requiring your love, curiosity, and yes—sometimes awkwardness, discomfort, and not-knowing what to do—as you support your teen.
At The Wren Centre, we understand the challenges you face as a parent and offer a respectful, compassionate space where you can learn, process, and grow alongside your teen. While we are located in west Ottawa just past Stittsville and Kanata, our workshops and one-on-one therapy sessions are available virtually to anyone in Ontario. We make these offerings to empower you with the knowledge and emotional tools you need to walk this path together.
“Is this just a phase?” — Understanding Your Trans Teen’s Journey
When our children navigate identity-defining periods of their life, it’s natural to have questions and worries when your teen comes out as trans or gender-diverse. You may be thinking, “Is this just a phase?” or worrying “How can I support them without making mistakes?” These are valid questions. The first thing to understand is that gender, like so many things in life, isn’t as straightforward as we assume. For example, think of all the things that girls are “allowed” to do that traditionally seems masculine: play sports; muck around in the dirt; run really fast, etc. However, girls are also “allowed” to express sadness with tears, play with dolls and role play family, or wear pretty much whatever they want. This is a change in how we define and understand girls’ gender in the last fifty years. Boys are often dissuaded from that same list despite cultural changes that have broadened the scope of girlhood.
Exploring and questioning aspects of identity are a natural part of the teenager’s process of becoming an adult. Whether aspects of your teen’s expression are a phase or not, one thing is clear—your support is crucial to their wellness. Research shows that trans youth who receive parental support are significantly less likely to struggle with mental health issues like depression and anxiety (Canadian Pediatric Society).
“But what if my teen’s exploration is just a phase? What if it’s not?” While our workshops address a lot of helpful, vital information, it’s important to remember that in the same way all humans share some traits and experiences, we don’t share all traits and experiences. This is equally true of trans teens and adults - there is no one way to be trans. To explore and support you through these questions, we recommend a series of therapy sessions specifically tailored to this process. At The Wren Centre, we take a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to guiding parents through this process. We offer practical tools, resources, and emotional support through our Gender-Affirming Care (GAC) Parent Workshops and therapy sessions to ensure that both you and your teen are supported every step of the way. We encourage you to sign up for our workshops and to book the free consultation with Kastin Bradley to move forward on supporting your unique family needs.
Read on for more information on Gender-Affirming Care and our workshop descriptions.
Gender-Affirming Care Isn’t a Buzz Word
Parents may be alarmed by our use of Gender-affirming Care (GAC) because the term is often in the news with coverage of contentious political action. Gender-affirming care is much more than what the politicians and media may present; it’s an approach, not a series of medical procedures. GAC encompasses a diverse range of practices that support your teen’s gender identity, which can include social transitions (like changing their name or pronouns) and emotional support for you and your teen. But it’s natural and expected that you have questions about what this includes and means for your kid - you’ll learn about gender-affirming gear (binders, trans tape, packers, etc.) and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive, educational setting.
“Being transgender is not just a medical transition. … [It’s about] discovering who you are, living your life authentically, loving yourself, and spreading that love towards other people and accepting one another.”
– Jazz Jennings, LGBTQ rights activist and public figure
Whether or not your teen chooses medical intervention, it’s important to respect their decisions about how they wish to present themselves to the world. In the same way that not every trans adult chooses medical transition, not every trans teen will want to transition medically, and that’s okay. It’s about supporting them in being their most authentic self.
Workshops for Your Needs as Their Parent
Our Parenting Beyond the Binary workshop series offers interactive sessions designed to provide you with practical knowledge and emotional support. Here's what you can expect from our workshops:
Workshop 1: Understanding Gender Diversity
We’ll break down the essentials of gender identity, the difference between gender and sexuality, and why affirming spaces are so important for your teen’s mental health. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of common terms like transgender, nonbinary, and gender fluid, and practical steps to create a more affirming environment at home.
Workshop 2: Gender Diverse Solidarity and Allyship
In this session, we’ll dive into the principles of allyship. You’ll learn how to stand in solidarity with your teen, from using their correct name and pronouns to advocating for them in schools and healthcare settings. We’ll also discuss the emotional side of this journey—how to handle mistakes (like misgendering) and process any grief you might feel about the future you once imagined for your child.
Workshop 3: Understanding Aspects of Gender-Affirming Care
This final workshop will cover the various aspects of gender-affirming care, including medical options like hormone blockers and surgeries. We’ll also touch on vocal transitions and the importance of respecting each teen’s individual path—whether they choose to medically transition or not.
We aim to create an inclusive, compassionate offering for you as a parent - one where you have a safe space to ask questions, share concerns, and reflect on your own emotional journey.
One-on-One Support: Personalized Therapy for Parents and Gender Diverse/Trans Teens
For parents who want more individualized support, our one-on-one therapy sessions provide a private, nurturing environment where you can explore your own feelings, questions, and fears. Many parents experience grief or fear when their child comes out, and that’s okay. This journey requires both curiosity and courage, and we’re here to help you navigate it with compassion.
Supporting a gender-diverse child isn’t about getting it perfect—it's about showing up, being open, and learning together.
In therapy, we explore topics like:
Grief and Loss: You may feel like you’re losing the child you thought you had. Therapy helps you process these feelings in a way that honors both your emotions and your teen’s journey.
Mistakes and Learning: Misgendering happens. It’s how you move forward from it that counts. In therapy, we help you learn how to apologize and grow from these experiences without letting guilt overwhelm you and ruminating on the past.
Parenting Through Fear: Many parents worry about their child’s safety, societal judgment, and long-term well-being. We’ll give you the tools to manage these fears while supporting your teen’s autonomy.
Navigating Different Journeys: Whether it’s your partner, extended family, or beyond, it’s typical that different members of your teen’s family and social circle will have different journeys. Whether it’s subtle or a significant pain point for you or your teen, we acknowledge that no two journeys are the same and we’re here to help.
Why You Should Book Your Free Consultation Today
Parenting a trans teen is a learning process—for you, your teen, and even your community. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Our workshops and one-on-one therapy sessions are designed to provide both you and your teen with the support you need to thrive.
Booking a free consultation with Kastin Bradley is your first step in building a more compassionate, understanding relationship with your teen. You’ll leave with practical tools, emotional support, and a deeper connection to your child.
Curiosity and compassion go hand in hand. Let’s take this journey together.
At The Wren Centre, we’re committed to fostering spaces where your teen can be their authentic self and where you, as their parent, can also grow into the best ally they need.
