MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; Inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in the frontiers of PTSD treatment trials
Frontiers in Psychiatry October 10, 2022 Christopher S. Stauffer, Melanie Brown, Dee Adams et al. 40 citations
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people face higher rates of stigma, discrimination, trauma, and PTSD, yet are underrepresented in PTSD research. Clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy show promise for treating PTSD, but issues of equitable access, power imbalances, and vulnerable states of consciousness are magnified for TGD people. Through three virtual focus groups with 17 TGD participants who had trauma-related mental health care, the study identified barriers to adequate gender-affirming and trauma-informed care, frustration with providers lacking cultural humility, and suggested protocol amendments including routine collection of trans-inclusive gender identity data, an explicit gender-affirming treatment approach, culturally safe settings, and diverse co-therapy dyads. Inclusion of TGD voices promotes equitable access and helps tailor research to community needs.