The Trans Guide to Mental Health and Well-Being - by Katy Lees (Paperback)

About the Book

An essential mental health guide for trans people, combining therapeutic strategies alongside the author's first-hand experience. With advice on anxiety, depression, trauma, negative body image, suicide and dissociation, it provides accessible and realistic strategies for everyone regardless of how they identify, to help them to live life to the fullest.

Book Synopsis

'The resource trans people need right now' MEG-JOHN BARKER
'An excellent book' JOS TWIST
'Straightforward and accessible' JENNIE KERMODE

This empowering self-help guide provides advice and strategies for trans and/or non-binary people on a range of common mental health issues including anxiety, depression, body image, trauma, suicidal thoughts and dissociation. It provides advice on neutralising negative thoughts, coping with transphobia, coming out, dealing with imposter syndrome, and implementing achievable self-care strategies and mindfulness techniques.

Whether you are in a crisis or just looking for ways to improve your life, this reassuring guide is there for you to use in the way that helps you the most, regardless of where you are in your transition, or if you decide not to transition in conventional ways. Combining therapeutic expertise alongside first-hand experience, the book also highlights the importance of understanding and being proud of who you are, to help you live life to the fullest.

Review Quotes

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 conceptualisation of healing. The book doesn't 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 appreciated that it doesn't give easy answers but still creates a wealth of resources.
The self disclosure of the author also humanised the book and gave it a vibe of "we are all struggling with this, here's a few things that can help", which made it affirming and encouraging without being patronising. 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

An indispensable and empowering guide to dealing with transphobia, depression and anxiety, imposter syndrome, and more.-- "Ms. Magazine"

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 Katy was walking alongside me. Every trans person (and those wanting to support trans people) should read it!

--Gem Kennedy, Transformational Practitioner, Activist & Founder of Queers & Co. podcast

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

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 book's lucid, practical advice is going to help so many people - I can't wait to recommend it to everyone I know!--Eris Young, author of They/Them/Their

This straightforward, accessible book is a great guide to techniques that you can use to improve your mental health even if you don't 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

We're living through a tough time indeed - particularly for trans folk - and most of us are feeling the toll it's 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 we're 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.

About the Author

Katy Lees is a non-binary, person-centred therapist and writer. They have worked in adult mental health services throughout their adult life in various positions, and are now in their own private psychotherapy practice.