06/11/2025
《The Role of Faith in Gender Identity Exploration》
Over the past year, I have been referred and worked with more gender identity cases, witnessing the struggles of my client(s) has led me to become more aware of how religious faith or spirituality plays a part, especially for those who seek.
Gender identity is defined as one’s internal, deeply held sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither. Gender identity can correlate with the s*x assigned at birth, or it can differ from it (Batista & Oliveira, 2024).
Spirituality and religion are important sources of strength for many clients, guiding as they navigate significant life decisions. Counselors can utilize their clients' spiritual and religious beliefs to help explore and address their issues (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Basham & O’Connor, 2005). Because spiritual and religious values can significantly impact human life, they should be regarded as a potential resource in therapy (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Harper & Gill,2005).
Spirituality is a vital aspect of being human, and Allen Weber believes it should be addressed in counseling in the most suitable manner (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Personal Communication, August 9, 2008). Survey data of both practicing counselors and
counselor educators indicate that spiritual and religious matters are therapeutically relevant, ethically appropriate, and potentially significant topics for the practice of counseling in secular settings (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Delaney, Miller, & Bisono, 2007; Walker, Gorsuch, & Tan, 2004; Young, Wiggins-Frame, & Cashwell, 2007).
Clients often bring spiritual issues to therapy, and these can serve as fundamental considerations in the therapeutic process (Corey,
Corey & Callanan, 2011, p93). Religion and spirituality often play a significant role in a client's challenges and can also contribute to their solutions, making these topics important for the therapeutic process.
Counselors can leverage their clients' spiritual and religious beliefs as they explore and work through their issues. (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Basham & O’Connor, 2005). Because spiritual and religious values can play a major part in human life, these values should be seen as a potential resource in therapy (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011; Harper & Gill, 2005).
As a registered counselor, I strive to remain competent and impartial, despite my personal beliefs against extreme views on transgenderism, same-s*x marriage, and homos*xuality. In an increasingly inclusive culture, particularly for those facing identity
crises like gender dysphoria, understanding the root causes is essential to my efforts in bridging gaps.
Transgender individuals face a range of complex human rights issues that often revolve around their gender identity, distinct from the societal norms surrounding the traditional male and female classifications.
Unlike these self-identified “superior” genders, which are often seen as normal and free of any chromosomal challenges or discomfort with their biological bodies, transgender people encounter significant obstacles. They suffer from abuse, ostracization, and hate crimes (Mitra & Majumder, 2013).
This enables a counselor to be more open and understanding of clients' inner struggles with societal and social norms, cultural oppression, especially in our local context. It is essential to regularly monitor one’s tendencies to impose self-values in the counseling practice.
For example, you may inadvertently encourage clients to adopt a spiritual perspective or persuade them to abandon beliefs you consider unhelpful. It is crucial to remember that it is the client's responsibility to decide which values they want to keep, change, or discard (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011, p95).
We can begin by examining whether a person's identity crisis is influenced more by nature (biological factors) or nurture (social environment). Gender and s*x are concepts that should be understood independently from each other. Gender is defined and shaped by society, while s*x is assigned biologically, placing them at opposite ends of the spectrum. A person understands their gender through the process of self-identification, whereas s*x is assigned at birth and cannot be changed without medical procedures.
Gender is something that individuals choose for themselves, while s*x is determined genetically at birth. In this sense, s*x is a part of nature, while gender is a product of nurture (Taneja, 2023). Other factors related to gender identity crisis are also from the family environment, media influence, peer influence, etc.
A closer examination of social constructs surrounding gender norms defining masculinity and femininity is essential. Thus, following Oakley, we understand that “gender is a social construct." [Krzyzanowska, 2012; Bradley, 2008, p.17] and, simultaneously, “gender is not merely an attribute of individuals, but also a social phenomenon.
I often ask, “Am I capable and prepared to handle these cases objectively and without bias?” Counselors, however, are bound by the principle of do no harm, treating each client with empathy and without judgment (Moran, 2024).
A resolution often occurs when the individual ceases struggling to be “straight” and begins to establish a new identity, self-concept, and understanding of what constitutes an authentic and meaningful life. During this period, individuals (and members of their families) often deal with issues of grief over letting go of the old, sometimes idealized, identity (Sue & Sue, 2016; Adelson, 2012).
Assessing spiritual and religious needs is crucial. Many gender identity crises have a strong religious faith but encounter exclusion. Religious support is available. For example, for individuals of the Christian faith, the Fellowship United Methodist Church accepts all types of diversity and is open to gay congregation members. LGBT individuals who have strong religious beliefs but who belong to a non-affirming church can explore different options, such as joining an affirming religious group, exploring more liberal sects of their
religion, or developing their definitions of what it means to be gay or religious (Sue & Sue, 2016; Sherry, Adelman, Whilde, & Quick, 2010).
It is much easier to adapt to a different religious group than to change one's s*xual orientation (Sue & Sue, 2016; Haldeman, 2010). The following gender identity questions are crucial to determine the person’s orientation about using religious faith as a springboard to free oneself from this confusion:
（1）“It sounds like your faith is very important to you
—how do you feel it relates to your journey with your
gender identity right now?”
（2）"What does your faith mean to you personally?"
（3）"Has it brought you peace or pain when it comes
to your identity?"
（4）"What would it look like to honor both your faith
and your truth?"
Navigating gender identity and the role of faith can be challenging, particularly because beliefs about faith can differ significantly among individuals. While I have my own strong beliefs and values, I strive to remain impartial by prioritizing the well-being of my clients above my personal feelings and opinions on what is right.
Because my values will significantly affect my work with clients, it is important to clarify my assumptions, core beliefs, and values, and how they influence the therapeutic process (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011, p80). On the other hand, the Christian counselor is called to bear witness to the faith.These ideals can collide when a counselor is also a clinical professional counselor working in the secular realm, where personal bias and religious conviction are separated from the counseling process... in professional settings, … counselors are still called to express empathy, love, and non-judgment to those who express different gender or moral questions (Moran, 2024).
As a Christian counselor, I pray with unconditional positive regard for my clients to find liberation from their challenges in God's timing. I often reflect on a prayer for serenity to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what can, and wisdom to know the
difference. I help clients focus on their controllable thoughts and actions while encouraging acceptance of the unchangeable, always seeking guidance from the Lord.
My goal is to lead my clients toward greater peace and well-being.
Michael Bay Kuan Wei (KB,PA)
Registered and Licensed Counsellor
