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The need to arm targets, allies, and bystanders in the face of increased discrimination and political unrest is imperative to the well-being and mental health of minorities in the United States. Most recently, Sue and colleagues (2019) introduced “microinterventions” a taxonomy of anti-discrimination strategies that aim to disarm or counteract the experience of a microaggression and enhance overall psychological well-being (Sue, 2019). Utilizers of mental health services may seek treatment due to symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or PTSD related to repeated instances of microaggressions (Sue et al.,2007). The field of psychology must respond by sharing resources and providing identity affirming counseling to help clients process feelings of negative sense of self, helplessness, and internalized attitudes (Anderson & Stevenson, 2019; Miller et al., 2018). There is a significant gap in the psychological literature with regard to the effectiveness, benefits and associated outcomes of individual-level strategies and tactics to disarm and disrupt instances of microaggressions (Brondolo, Pencille, Beatty, Contrafa, 2009). The purpose of this study was to contribute to the multicultural and social advocacy literature by training individuals on microintervention tactics and utilizing qualitative methodology to evaluate participants experiences and outcomes. A pre and post design with short answer responses and a one month follow up was conducted using consensual qualitative research data analysis methods (CQR-M). The results of the study are discussed in terms of their applicability to multicultural workshops and trainings, clinical practice and future areas of microintervention and response strategy research.

The transgender population is makes up about 0.3% of the U.S. population (Gates 2011). The term transgender is both an identity and an umbrella term used to describe people who do not adhere to traditional gender norms (Institute of Medicine 2011). Transgender people experience many barriers to services, negative health outcomes, and discrimination (Fredrikson-Goldsen et al. 2013; Institute of Medicine 2011; Eliason et al. 2009; Hendricks & Testa 2012). Mental health clinics are an important site for understanding transgender peoples' experiences due to being a gatekeeper for other medical services and their role in helping transpeople with issues surrounding coming out, victimization, and discrimination (Grant et al. 2011; Youth Suicide Prevention Program 2011). The mental health field has a contested relationship with the transgender population due to a history of pathologizing gender variance, barriers to accessing services, and insensitivity from mental health providers (American Psychiatric Association 2013; Eliason et al. 2009). I conducted secondary data analysis using the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (2008) in order to understand the relationships between gender non-conforming identities, others' perception of one's gender identity, and discrimination at mental health clinics. Results suggest that there is an association between gender identity, others' perception of one's gender identity, and discrimination. This association depends on which gender identity, the degree to which an individual identifies with each term, and the type of discrimination. Logistic regression results reveal that identity and others' perception are not significant predictors for experiencing discrimination. Rather, income and race are significant predictors for experiencing discrimination at metal health clinics.