Grief, Loss, and Identity: A Phenomenological Study of Transgender Experiences During Transition

Carly Boren; Brandon Hunt; Sheridan J. Rian

doi:10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927

Grief, Loss, and Identity: A Phenomenological Study of Transgender Experiences During Transition

Carly Boren
, Brandon Hunt
, Sheridan J. Rian

Leadership, Technology & Human Development

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Grief related to transitioning among transgender individuals is underexplored, with literature primarily focusing on grief experienced by family members or partners or external losses transgender individuals face. This study addresses the gap, exploring the grief experienced by 14 transgender people during transition. Six themes emerged: (a) Navigating Shame and Oppression, (b) Intangible Grief and Loss, (c) Spectrum of Emotions and Coping Strategies, (d) Loss of Relationships, (e) Navigating Others’ Grief, and (f) Advocacy as a Response to Grief and Oppression. Findings emphasize the need for counselors to validate the unique grief experiences of transgender clients. Recommendations for counselors are provided.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	302-320
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling
Volume	19
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927
State	Published - Jul 3 2025

Scopus Subject Areas

Gender Studies
Clinical Psychology
Applied Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

Keywords

Transgender
grief
identity
loss
phenomenology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927

Cite this

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title = "Grief, Loss, and Identity: A Phenomenological Study of Transgender Experiences During Transition",

abstract = "Grief related to transitioning among transgender individuals is underexplored, with literature primarily focusing on grief experienced by family members or partners or external losses transgender individuals face. This study addresses the gap, exploring the grief experienced by 14 transgender people during transition. Six themes emerged: (a) Navigating Shame and Oppression, (b) Intangible Grief and Loss, (c) Spectrum of Emotions and Coping Strategies, (d) Loss of Relationships, (e) Navigating Others{\textquoteright} Grief, and (f) Advocacy as a Response to Grief and Oppression. Findings emphasize the need for counselors to validate the unique grief experiences of transgender clients. Recommendations for counselors are provided.",

keywords = "Transgender, grief, identity, loss, phenomenology",

author = "Carly Boren and Brandon Hunt and Rian, \{Sheridan J.\}",

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year = "2025",

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doi = "10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927",

language = "English",

volume = "19",

pages = "302--320",

journal = "Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling",

issn = "2692-4951",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Grief, Loss, and Identity

T2 - A Phenomenological Study of Transgender Experiences During Transition

AU - Boren, Carly

AU - Hunt, Brandon

AU - Rian, Sheridan J.

PY - 2025/7/3

Y1 - 2025/7/3

N2 - Grief related to transitioning among transgender individuals is underexplored, with literature primarily focusing on grief experienced by family members or partners or external losses transgender individuals face. This study addresses the gap, exploring the grief experienced by 14 transgender people during transition. Six themes emerged: (a) Navigating Shame and Oppression, (b) Intangible Grief and Loss, (c) Spectrum of Emotions and Coping Strategies, (d) Loss of Relationships, (e) Navigating Others’ Grief, and (f) Advocacy as a Response to Grief and Oppression. Findings emphasize the need for counselors to validate the unique grief experiences of transgender clients. Recommendations for counselors are provided.

AB - Grief related to transitioning among transgender individuals is underexplored, with literature primarily focusing on grief experienced by family members or partners or external losses transgender individuals face. This study addresses the gap, exploring the grief experienced by 14 transgender people during transition. Six themes emerged: (a) Navigating Shame and Oppression, (b) Intangible Grief and Loss, (c) Spectrum of Emotions and Coping Strategies, (d) Loss of Relationships, (e) Navigating Others’ Grief, and (f) Advocacy as a Response to Grief and Oppression. Findings emphasize the need for counselors to validate the unique grief experiences of transgender clients. Recommendations for counselors are provided.

KW - Transgender

KW - grief

KW - identity

KW - loss

KW - phenomenology

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012602356

U2 - 10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927

DO - 10.1080/26924951.2025.2472927

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105012602356

SN - 2692-4951

VL - 19

SP - 302

EP - 320

JO - Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling

JF - Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling

IS - 3

ER -

Grief, Loss, and Identity: A Phenomenological Study of Transgender Experiences During Transition

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

UN SDGs

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