Abstract

This instrumental case study details the process of a cisgender drama therapist working with James, a transgender man in his early 20’s. The cross-cultural approach to which the drama therapist adhered is examined via literature in drama therapy, creative arts therapies, and other psychotherapies, focusing on suggested best practices as well as current findings on transgender experiences in health-care settings. During the eight months that encompassed the therapy process James went through many changes, including preferred pronouns, a name change, relationships ending and beginning, and coming out to different people in his life, all of which were addressed within the sessions. The mutual respect and trust, which developed as a result of the cross-cultural foundational work, was key in addressing these important shifts in James’ life. Narradrama was the primary form of drama therapy that was utilized although inspirations were taken from many sources, and the sessions became highly adaptable to James’ needs on any given week. This paper aims to display the important role of cross-cultural humility within psychotherapy fields.