"The VA was the first place as a trainee that I felt like I had to hide many parts of myself": Lived experiences and recommendations for empowering transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive VA psychology supervisors and supervisees.

ABSTRACT

Psychology trainees are increasingly diverse in terms of gender identity and gender expression (Lund & Thomas, 2022), yet clinical supervision models often overlook the unique needs, strengths, and experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive (TNBGE) trainees and supervisors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remains the largest training network for psychology trainees and many American Psychological Association-accredited VA sites advertise focused training opportunities in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer health at both the internship and postdoctoral levels. As such, VA psychology training programs are uniquely positioned to impact the professional experiences of TNBGE psychology trainees and supervisors. Critical issues in supervision with TNBGE supervisees and supervisors in VA health care settings are reviewed utilizing themes and examples from the authors' lived experiences as TNBGE supervisors and supervisees. Recommendations are provided for supervisees, supervisors, and training directors in VA psychology training programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).