Addressing Trauma Among Latine Immigrant Transgender and Nonbinary Youth: A Clinical Case Study

Latine transgender and nonbinary (TNB) immigrant youth face many challenges and health disparities, such as increased risk of depression, self-harm, and trauma. These disparities are often caused and exacerbated by lack of access to necessary health care. Risk factors specific for TNB immigrant youth include lack of documentation or valid immigration status, and exposure to interpersonal and systemic discrimination. We present a case of a nonbinary adolescent who recently immigrated to the United States with a complex psychiatric history and significant trauma history, and an accompanying a literature review on recommendations for best practices. To mitigate health disparities, clinicians can promote youths' resilience by building upon a shared sense of community identity, and by providing gender and culturally affirming care that is trauma informed to meet the unique needs of individual patients. Addressing root causes of disparities requires supporting cultural identity and advocating for youth at institutional and political levels.