Full bibliography

Persons who are born with ambiguous or a combination of both male and female genitalia are referred to as intersex. The biological nature of intersex conditions, or disorders/differences of sex development, are reviewed in this chapter. Issues of bias for people who are intersex are discussed, as children are often made to feel abnormal and required to keep their difference a secret. Parents and families may also experience mental health symptoms, such as traumatic reactions, at their child's birth, when a gender cannot readily be assigned to their child. Although, doctors have (and some still continue) to recommend genital surgery without the child's consent, this is considered unethical by many advocacy organizations for intersex people. Physical issues and the standard of care recommended by advocacy organization and ALGBTIC are discussed. The role of a counselor working with a family with an intersex infant is discussed, as are specific counseling techniques for working with intersex clients of all ages. © 2017 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved.

Journal Abbreviation: Affirm. Couns. With LGBTQI+ People