On this episode I had the honor of sitting down with Sam and Shannon Bergeron. Sam is a transgender man who transitioned in high school (in Texas) and who now works in college admissions at his alma mater, Hampshire College. Shannon is Founder of Core College Consulting, where she specializes in using a whole child college counseling™ approach. She’s been a school counselor for more than 20 years, a volunteer with Matchlighters Scholars program, and she’s also Sam’s mom, an ally, and an advocate for trans students. 

We discuss a number of critical things trans youth, their counselors and caregivers should know as they navigate the college admission process, including:

• The importance of understanding student information systems at your school
• How to ensure safety in gendered spaces on campus
• The value of offering, or improving trans-specific counseling services
• Conversation starters for teachers, counselors, and administrators
• How to research colleges
• And much more

Play-by-play

• 0:00 - Introduction - Who are Shannon and Sam?
• 1:43 - Welcome to the podcast
• 1:55 - Shannon and Sam share their backstories in advocating for trans youth
• 4:39 - What was Shannon’s experience of Sam’s transition in high school?
• 6:42 - Why is it important to talk about and advocate for trans youth?
• 9:57 - Ethan shares his personal ties to trans youth advocacy
• 10:45 - What are some of trans students' rights at school?
• 15:19 - What are Shannon’s strategies for identifying places in the school system that protect trans youth? 
• 17:38 - What are some of the impacts of calling a student by the wrong name? 
• 19:20 - How can parents, caregivers, and counselors better support trans students? 
• 21:55 - How do you find and create safe spaces in high school?
• 28:00 - What is Shannon’s advice for parents in similar situations?
• 32:15 - The power of grounding techniques  
• 34:38 - What are some ways of sharing your story in a way that is impactful for others?
• 37:20 - What should counselors keep in mind?
• 39:25 - Sharing common terminology surrounding LGBTQIA+ identities 
• 44:04 - What is Sam’s experience and advice in the college search process?
• 49:26 - ICYMI: CEG Podcast Episode 214 - Resources for LGBTQ+ Students from Campus Pride with Shane Windmeyer
• 49:53 - Advice and considerations for writing the college essay
• 56:32 - Closing advice for supporting the trans people in your life

Resources: 

• Blog Article: 10 Critical Things Trans Youth (and Their Counselors and Caregivers) Should Know in High School and When Applying to College
• The Protect Trans Students Resource
• 50+ LGBTQ Resources for Students and Their Counselors

Grounding techniques resources:

• https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/distress-tolerance/grounding/
• https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/understanding-different-types-of-grounding
• https://www2.winona.edu/resilience/media/grounding-worksheet.pdf
• https://www.acesdv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grounding-Worksheet.pdf