A look at “‘You get a better idea of what you want to do with your life’: needs and experiences of transgender and gender diverse individuals participating in an internet delivered emotion regulation treatment” by Markus Byström, Hedvig Engberg and Hanna Sahlin (2026)
Trans and gender diverse people experience higher rates of emotional distress. That isn’t because of who they are, but because of the stigma, rejection and barriers to care they so often face. Yet finding therapy that’s both effective and genuinely affirming can be a real challenge. This Swedish study asked trans and gender diverse people what it was like to take part in an online emotion regulation programme designed with them in mind.
What they found
The programme was an internet-delivered course adapted from established emotion regulation approaches. Participants worked through weekly modules over up to 12 weeks, with written feedback from an assigned therapist. There was also an optional parallel programme for a close other, such as a parent, partner, sibling or friend. Crucially, it included content specifically relevant to trans and gender diverse experiences.
The researchers interviewed 10 participants from an earlier feasibility study. Four themes emerged.
- Emotional exploration and self-understanding. Participants valued learning to notice and name their emotions, and many found this intertwined with exploring their identity. As one put it: “You get a better idea of what you want to do with your life.”
- From insight to change. Understanding emotions helped people respond differently in daily life, using new skills rather than old patterns.
- Possibilities and limits of social support. The option to involve a close other was appreciated, but not everyone had someone supportive to bring along. That’s a painful reminder of the isolation many trans people face.
- Barriers and bridges. The trans-specific content gave many a sense of recognition and belonging. But some found the structure rigid, wanted more contact with their therapist, or felt the format didn’t fully fit their needs.
A grain of glitter ✨
This is a valuable, respectful study that centres trans voices, and its finding that identity-affirming content builds a sense of belonging is important. But it’s small: 10 people out of 23 invited, who may have been those with more positive experiences. They completed anywhere from 2 to 10 modules, so their experiences varied a lot. It’s set in Sweden, with its particular healthcare system, and it explores experiences, not whether the programme actually reduced distress. The interviewers were also part of the team that developed the programme, which could make it harder for participants to share criticisms.
Why this matters
If you’re trans or gender diverse and finding emotions hard to manage, that’s an understandable response to a world that often isn’t kind, not a personal failing. Support that teaches emotion skills and affirms your identity can help. Online options may make that support more accessible, though they work best when there’s still a human connection and flexibility to fit your life.
Every unicorn deserves support that sees its true colours, whether that’s online, in person or somewhere in between.