#320 - Sasha Ayad, LPC - Exploring Youth Identity, Gender Affirming Care & Mental Health

Sasha Ayad joins Something For Everybody this week. Sasha is a licensed therapist, author and speaker who focuses on the way gender dysphoria and personal identity impacts children and families.

In this conversation, Sasha Ayad and I explore the complexities of balance in life, the evolving nature of identity, particularly in youth, and the implications of gender identity discussions. We delve into the importance of exploration in identity development, the impact of social media, and the controversies surrounding gender-affirming care. Sasha shares her insights on the challenges faced by young people today and the need for a more nuanced understanding of identity and gender. We explore the authoritarian nature of current gender identity politics, the courage required to speak out against prevailing narratives, and the impact of emerging research on gender medicine.

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0:00 Navigating Balance and Harmony in Life
03:00 Understanding Identity and Its Evolution
05:49 The Complexity of Gender Identity in Youth
08:57 The Role of Exploration in Identity Development
11:58 The Impact of Social Media on Identity Perception
15:05 The Controversy Surrounding Gender-Affirming Care
17:53 The Evolution of Gender Identity Discussions
21:02 Challenges in Gender Identity Treatment Approaches
28:40 The Evolution of Gender Identity Discussions
29:00 Understanding Gender Identity vs. Sexual Orientation
32:29 The Demands of Gender Identity
34:28 The Authoritarian Nature of Gender Identity Politics
37:36 Courage in Speaking Out
40:50 The Impact of Research on Gender Medicine
47:46 The Sunk Cost Fallacy in Gender Medicalization
53:04 The Manipulative Suicide Narrative
58:44 Understanding Mental Health and Gender Identity
01:01:12 The Role of Relationships in Youth Development
01:04:38 The Importance of Genuine Conversations
01:08:38 The Transformative Power of Strength Training

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Referenced data and numbers of prescriptions for minors and gender related medical interventions, that data comes from here: 

https://donoharmmedicine.org/2024/10/08/stop-the-harm-national-database-child-trans-industry/

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Extra Stuff:

Website: https://sashaayad.com/

Substack: https://sashaayad.substack.com/

X: https://x.com/SashaLPC

Podcast: https://linktr.ee/WiderLensPod

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(Recorded on November 18th, 2024)

Edited by Ben Rogerson (@BenRogerson_)

Intro music by Residual Audio (Residualaudio.com)

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