Embracing God's Design Addressing the Spiritual and Psychological Crisis Behind Transgender Identity

The transgender movement is based on a destructive ideology that has affected every adult and minor in every sector of American society. Our churches and communities need to understand how to address the spiritual and psychological crisis behind gender ideology. This book was written by Jennifer Bauwens, a trauma therapist and researcher, and Walt Heyer, who previously identified as a woman. Both authors have helped those who suffered the effects of gender ideology and who also had traumas and other mental health conditions. The authors developed this resource to bring understanding about the origins of the gender movement, the psychological research used to give the appearance that the practices are evidence-based, and most importantly, how to both prevent someone struggling with identity confusion and how to support someone who wants to come back to God’ s design for their life after identifying as transgender.

Walt Heyer began cross-dressing at the age of four and underwent so-called “ gender affirmation surgery” at forty-two. He identified as a woman for eight years but embraced his God-given male identity thirty-five years ago. Now, Walt boldly speaks out about the dangers of hormones and surgery, particularly for children. He is a Senior Fellow at Family Research Council and has been married for twenty-eight years. Dr. Jennifer Bauwens holds a Ph.D. in clinical social work from New York University. Over the course of her career, she has worked as a trauma therapist, researcher, and professor. Now based in the Washington, D.C., area, she focuses on researching and advocating for policies that will best serve the mental health and well-being of families and communities.

An Introduction to the Authors Audience for This Book This Book Is Dedicated to the Josephs Out There Chapter 1 - God’ s Design What Is God’ s Design for Humanity? The Image of God Reflected in Humanity and the Family Bearing the Image of God Without Shame Gender Ideology Opposes God’ s Design SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING THE DECEPTION AND PRACTICE OF MAKING TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES Chapter 2 - How Did It All Begin? Founders of the Transgender Movement Cautionary Voices Normalizing and Pushing an Agenda Ideology Undermines Good Research Changing Vocabulary Chapter 3 – Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis Where Did the Term Gender Dysphoria Come From? What Is Gender Dysphoria? The Potential to Pathologize Normal Aspects of Childhood Development Chapter 4 – Understanding Social Norms and Stereotypes Chapter 5 – Gender-Affirming Care and the Rejection of God’ s Design Origins of Gender-Affirming Care for Children What Are the WPATH Standards of Care? Gender-Affirming Care Regret Is Not Rare Harms of Gender-Affirming Care Affidavit Says No Change Gender-Affirming Care for Kids Is Dangerous Says Finnish Doctor SECTION 2: ADDRESSING THE HEART OF THE MATTER Chapter 6 – Trauma and Identity Confusion Clinical Definition of Trauma Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Factors That Play a Role in Trauma Responses. Physical Consequences of Experiencing Trauma Chapter 7 – Dealing with Root Causes of Identity Confusion: “ Little t” Traumas Adverse Childhood Experiences Ask God to Reveal the Truth Examples of “ Little t” Traumas Chapter 8 – Other Root Causes Comorbidities Other Issues to Consider and Rule Out Costs and Complications of Bypassing Underlying Issues SECTION 3: WHO IS AFFECTED BY TRANSGENDERISM AND HOW TO HELP Chapter 9 – Advice for Parents Preventing the Infectious Ideology Depraved Influences Interviewing Counselors Answers to Common Questions Parents Ask Chapter 10 - Supporting Someone in Your Church Who Is Struggling with Identity Confusion Support for an Adult Support for a Child or Teen Educate the Person or the Parents Chapter 11 - Supporting Someone Who Is Desisting or Embracing God’ s Design Words and Definitions Matter Needs of the Questioner, Desister, and the Person Embracing God’ s Design Tips for the Helper Chapter 12 - The Healing Process for Those Who Claimed a Transgender Identity What Is Attachment? Attachment Styles Attachment Styles in Adults Developing a Connection with a Formally Transgender-Identified Person The Importance of Listening Prayer to Connect with God and True Identity The Need for Faith and Patience Embracing God’ s Design Appendix A: DSM Criteria for Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults Appendix B: Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults Glossary of Terms Endnotes