The Families in TRANSition (FIT) program was created by Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) using emergent clinical modalities, grounded community knowledge, and dedicated resource development.
With its unique blend of trauma-informed, relational, and gender-affirming principles, FIT has supported hundreds of families in Ontario and across Canada to strengthen and bolster relationships between youth and the significant adults around them, particularly in times of identity exploration and gender transition.
Length: 10 weekly sessions, 2 hours each
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Youth Group
Format/Description
This in-person program, offered in collaboration with London InterCommunity Health Centre, provides an opportunity for trans, gender non-conforming,
and gender questioning youth to explore identity and self-expression, healthy relationships, and mental health.
A separate Parents and Caregivers Group runs at the same time in a different
room.
Who should attend this group?
This group is open to youth aged 13-24 who identify as trans, gender non-conforming, and gender questioning.
Requirements/Expectations
Participants are expected to commit to attending all 10 group sessions. This is a closed group.
Benefits/Take-aways
Participants will be supported to:
- Develop peer and parental support
- Build coping skills to mitigate gender discrimination
- Gain knowledge and develop agency regarding social, legal and medical transitioning options
- Connect with other youth
Participant Feedback
“I have absolutely loved being able to talk to other trans kids my age, it has been a very welcoming and validating experience.”
“The thing I enjoyed most was getting to know others going through similar situations.”
“I really enjoyed talking, and generally chilling with, other trans people, particularly ones my age.”
Families in TRANSition Workbook
FIT Workbook – Youth – 2021 – CTYS – English
This workbook was written and published by CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services) with the support and collaboration of community members
and organizations.
These workbooks offer guided activities and readings that people can use to
build and maintain close, healthy relationships between their caregivers or their transgender youth. They were created to be used as part of the Families in TRANSition Group Program, but most of these activities can also be done
alone, or with the guidance of a social worker, counselor, or other mental health provider.
Parents and Caregivers Group
Format/Description
This in-person program, offered in collaboration with London InterCommunity Health Centre, provides the parents and caregivers of trans, gender non-conforming, and gender questioning youth with a structured, interactive learning experience on supporting youth through transition, and strengthening parent/caregiver-youth relationships.
A separate Youth Group runs at the same time in a different room. If your young person doesn’t want to attend or isn’t able, you can still attend the parent/caregiver group.
Who should attend this group?
This group is open to all adults who play a primary caregiving role for a trans, gender non-conforming or gender-questioning person aged 13-24.
Requirements/Expectations
Participants are expected to commit to attending all 10 group sessions. This is a closed group. Attendees do not need to have youth in the FIT Youth Group to attend the Parents and Caregivers Group.
Benefits/Take-aways
Participants will be supported to:
- Gain tools and knowledge to help improve communication and strengthen their relationship with their youth
- Learn about social, legal and physical transition options
- Strengthen skills for managing strong emotions (fear, sadness, worry, etc.)
- Explore societal/cultural/religious beliefs that impact trans youth and their families
- Build skills to support their youth and family when facing discrimination/transphobia/transmisogyny
- Promote youth mental health and resilience
- Connect with other parents/caregivers
- Receive a free copy of The FIT Workbook for Parents and Caregivers
Participant Feedback
“As the group progressed I just felt a little more on solid ground. The more we learned…and opened up new perspectives, I felt a bit more confident and that helped when I was talking to my son. So when I’m face-to-face with him, I feel better about asking him what’s happening because I’m gaining confidence and feel perhaps I can be of assistance.”
“Over the course of the group I noticed changes in my behaviour and my language… But I noticed changes in my kid as well. They are telling me a bit more…and we have moved through some of the [social transition] steps together. I think me coming to the group helped them feel more confident to come out.”
“I feel like I’m more of an advocate for my child whereas before I didn’t know where it was appropriate to step in and [where it] was appropriate to be respectful, allowing my child to take the lead. But this whole process has opened up communication between us.”
Families in TRANSition Workbook
FIT Workbook – Caregivers – 2021 – CTYS – English
This workbook was written and published by CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services) with the support and collaboration of community members and organizations.
These workbooks offer guided activities and readings that people can use to build and maintain close, healthy relationships between their caregivers or their transgender youth. They were created to be used as part of the Families in TRANSition Group Program, but most of these activities can also be done alone, or with the guidance of a social worker, counselor, or other mental health provider.
Families in TRANSition Guide
CTYS FIT Guide 2020 – English
CTYS FIT Guide 2020 – French
This guide was written and published by CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services) with the support and collaboration of community members and organizations.
Families in TRANSition has created a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers of transgender and gender questioning youth. Full of practical and sensitive parent-to-parent and professional therapeutic advice, it tries to anticipate and address common questions and concerns, as well as normalize the varied reactions families may have.