The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity

by Rylan Jay Testa, Ryan K. Sallans, Arlene Istar Lev (Afterword)

This one-of-a-kind, comprehensive workbook will help you navigate your gender identity and expression at home, in school, and with peers.

If you are a transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) teen, you may experience unique challenges with identity and interpersonal relationships. In addition to experiencing common teen challenges such as body changes and peer pressure, you may be wondering how to express your unique identity to others. The Gender Quest Workbook incorporates skills, exercises, and activities from evidence-based therapies—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to help you address the broad range of struggles you may encounter related to gender identity, such as anxiety, isolation, fear, and even depression.

Despite outdated beliefs, gender no longer implies being simply male or female, but rather a whole spectrum of possibilities. This fun, engaging workbook is designed specifically for teens like you who want to explore the concept of gender and gender identity and expression—whether you already identify as TGNC or are simply questioning your gender identity.

The activities in this book will help you explore your identity internally, interpersonally, and culturally. And along the way, you’ll learn how to effectively express yourself and make informed decisions on how to navigate your gender with family, friends, classmates, and coworkers. The book also includes chapters on sex and dating, balancing multiple identities, and how to deal with stressful challenges when they arise.

The Gender Quest Workbook also features a brief downloadable guide for clinicians that explains ways professionals can better serve gender-expansive youth. The guide will address ways to help youth working with gender identity build resilience against gender minority stress, among other topics.

This book has been selected as an Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Book Recommendation —an honor bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Genres: LGBT, Gender, Nonfiction, Psychology, Queer, Social Work, Gender and Sexuality

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2015

Reviews

[Lovie]

I found this workbook when I was struggling with my gender identity, and had recently come out as non-binary but I felt like I wasn’t “valid” enough.

I found workbooks are better for me than regular books in the past since I’m a hands on learner. This workbook blew me away. It had a lot of information, and so many good quotes. I’ve never been one to highlight books, but I found myself highlighting some of my favorite lines. I even wrote down some lines to put onto cheesy motivational posters.

Highly recommend this to anyone struggling with gender identity, not just teens.

[Tony Gordon]

I wish I had this book when I was a teen figuring out my gender identity! I'm recommending this book to EVERYONE of any age, regardless of if you think you might be trans or not, because it does a fantastic job breaking down gender stereotypes and how much of our perception is based on these concepts that aren't actually correct or real.

[Elon]

Really interesting, a schoolbook not for Maths or language, but for gender and gender expression. Even if you don't want or need to change or evolve your own gender identity, I believe this is a good thing to at least browse through and think about.

[Kayla Anderson]

From a clinician perspective, this was just ok for me. However, I think it would be a pretty good tool for a questioning or curious teen/young person. They give straight answers and advice, without sugar coating things, and I respect that.

[Randy]

While this wouldn't be my go to book, I do enjoy that it's blunt. Its more conversation based vs work sheet based. I would recommend this book to teachers, parents, and counselors working with teens around gender identity and sexuality.

[K Kriesel]

Wonderful workbook. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is they didn't deal with kids in religious schools. I understand that's a huge topic! If I had this book when I was in Catholic school, I would've felt like an outsider from this book because my experience was so different

[Margaret]

I picked this up via my library as one of the few books on transitioning that was available, to gain insight into the experience. I found it to have good highlights of how to approach identity exploration (with activities to work through in your own time) and important things to consider (like your safety before and after coming out to a specific person).

I don't have the person experience to recommend (or recommend avoidance of) this book for people struggling with their identities... But I do recommend it to their friends and family members -- especially if you're *not* thinking about your identity. Looking through and doing some of these activities is an interesting experience.

[Ewa Opala]

As the title suggests, this workbook is a great resource to help teens and young adults learn more about different aspects of gender and understand what makes them who they are. It invites its readers to explore their gender identity and self-expression and provides helpful tools to use when faced with stressful challenges. The book also offers many ideas on how to navigate various situations that one may encounter on their journey of self-discovery.

[Rosa Gevaux]

Really good information and tone for the teen mind. I definitely learned things I didn’t know and I highly recommend parents reading/participating as it gives you a chance to look at your own gender beliefs, perceptions, and identity before/for talking to your kids.

[Patrick Ramsey]

Good resource for current terms facing those who have questions about their gender identity or how to deal with feelings about it. Exploratory exercises are helpful. Good guide on how to handle possible next steps in exploration.

[Lyda]

A great workbook with many exercises to support teens and young adults in their quest of their gender identity. Useful to individuals exploring their gender but also psychotherapists and coaches for supporting others.

[Jules H.]

Good for teens who are just starting the discovery of their gender identity and expression. Could be boring and a bit superficial for adults/young adults who have already read half of the internet before and had a chance to talk to friends. It's something to start with though.

[Lauraine]

A very useful guide for teens exploring their gender identity. Very down to earth, with examples of real-life situations and how to deal with them.

[Liri]

It's a good workbook for self exploration for young adults. I recommend this as an aid for small groups.

[D Reviews Books]

This was a pretty good read that I would recommend to preteens, teens, and young adults who want to know more about the gender spectrum.

[Misho Kolev]

Very informative, broad and holistic, and not taking down condescendingly to teens. Would have helped me a lot when I saw also growing up ;)

[Joseph]

A very interesting and educating read for both those who are exploring their own gender identity and for the general public due to the changes that are occurring today in the ways the GLBTQ community is being treated.

[AJ]

Even though it was written for teens I learned a decent amount from this book. I recommend it to anyone who's exploring, questioning, or just dealing with pressure to fit into the binary.

[Kathleen]

Workbook style so concerns about library usage