Post by Fabian Friedrich

*Guest Lecture on Ethical Gender Affirming Care at ACU* Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting a guest lecture on Ethical Gender Affirming Care to the new Master of Clinical Psychology cohort at Australian Catholic University. We explored the complexity, nuance, and ethical responsibility involved in working with gender-diverse clients — including informed decision-making, psychoeducation, evidence-based care, developmental considerations, and the importance of dialectically holding space for different perspectives in an often unpredictable and politically polarised world. One of the key themes of the lecture was that gender diversity does not have a monolithic presentation and therefore cannot be approached through a singular framework. Ethical gender-affirming practice requires curiosity, humility, critical thinking, flexibility, and an ability to tolerate complexity. Nuanced thinking, dynamic case formulation, and the integration of multiple perspectives while navigating a rapidly evolving landscape characterised by a relative paucity of robust scientific evidence are critical skills for emerging psychologists to acquire. I’m grateful for the thoughtful engagement from the cohort and for the opportunity to contribute to the training of future clinicians entering this rapidly evolving area. Please be in touch if you are interested in professional development for your workforce or a guest lecture at university through Lebensfreude Psychology Clinic. Thank you to ACU for the invitation. I’m grateful and proud to be an alumnus. PS. How gorgeous is the Strathfield campus?