Episode 155: How to Help Those Suffering with Gender Confusion
Dec 5, 2023
auto_awesome
Exploring compassionate ways to help those suffering from gender confusion by integrating faith, reason, and science. Topics include entering into conversations with empathy, the importance of love and relationship, discernment, and the power of prayer. The podcast also discusses the need for healing wounds of culture, integrating psychology with the Catholic faith, and understanding gender identity in children through the interplay of nature, nurture, and grace.
Approaching individuals with gender confusion requires compassion and understanding, acknowledging their suffering and the impact of societal issues on their well-being.
While having empathy, it is equally important to embrace objective truth in understanding gender identity, grounded in faith, reason, and science.
Deep dives
Approaching people who are suffering with gender issues
When approaching people, especially children and adolescents, who are experiencing gender issues, it is important to recognize their suffering and approach them with compassion. These individuals are often the most affected by the ongoing discussions surrounding gender. It is crucial to have a positive and empathetic approach, understanding the impact of culture and societal issues on their well-being. By understanding the importance of listening and entering into their experiences, we can provide a supportive and loving environment for them to express themselves.
The importance of holding firm to objective truth
While it is necessary to have empathy and understanding for individuals with gender confusion, it is equally important to hold fast to objective truth. Our primary identity lies in being creatures of God, children of a loving Father. Acknowledging the truth of our identity as men or women is essential, as it is grounded in faith, reason, and scientific evidence. By embracing objective truth while accompanying others with love and compassion, we create a space for healing and growth.
Embracing mystery and nuance in gender identity
Understanding the development of gender identity and recognizing the mystery and complexity of the human person is crucial. Complementarity between men and women, which leads to unity, is a fundamental aspect of our identities. This is manifested in the formation of children through the model and complementarity of both parents. By embracing the mystery of complementarity and recognizing the integration of diverse characteristics within each person, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of gender identity.
Prayer, discernment, and humility in navigating gender issues
Prayer should be the foundation when navigating the complexities of gender identity. It is important to approach these conversations with humility, recognizing our limited understanding and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through discernment, we can determine the appropriate response based on the context of our relationship with the individual. This may involve listening, accompanying, or offering guidance. Recognizing the individual's unique journey and being open to grace allows us to play a positive role in their healing and growth.
Welcome to Episode 155 of the Being Human Podcast: How to Help Those Suffering with Gender Confusion
Do you know anyone experiencing gender confusion? How can we meet them with compassion while also leading them to the truth? Dr. Greg breaks open this question and more in this final episode of our Gender Series!
Discussed in the episode:
How to enter into a conversation with someone suffering from gender dysphoria or confusion;
The reality of gender dysphoria and the suffering of those who struggle with it;
The importance of relationship and meeting people where they are with love;
The approach of Jesus in inviting others to conversion;
Why listening and loving people amid their sufferings is essential to accompanying others;
Using an integration of faith, reason, and science to arrive at the truth;
How love begins with listening, yet also entails leading people to truth;
The importance of discernment and knowing when to speak and when to remain silent;
Learning to listen to and love all of our internal parts instead of rejecting them;
Why a spirit of continual conversion in ourselves is needed;
The power and importance of prayer and entrusting every encounter into God’s hands.
Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!
Rate, review, and subscribe
Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.
Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.
For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!