Competencies and challenges in the training of psychosocial therapists to address transgender and gender variable people

Transgender and gender variable people often require therapeutic support due to experiences of discrimination and social exclusion, which impacts their psychological well-being. In this context, the training of psychosocial therapists plays a key role in caring for this population. This study analyzes the cognitive and attitudinal competencies of Psychosocial Therapy students at the “Padre Isaías Ojeda” University College of Hogares CREA (CUPIO), in order to identify gaps in their preparation and propose improvement strategies. The methodology is based on a qualitative approach, with in-depth interviews and data analysis through emergent categorization and theoretical triangulation. The results show that, although students show attitudes of respect and empathy towards transgender people, they lack theoretical and practical training on gender identity, which limits their ability to provide effective support. It is concluded that the incorporation of specific content on gender diversity in the psychosocial therapy curriculum is essential to guarantee an adequate approach based on scientific evidence.