Cultural adaptation and validation of a Spanish-Language measure of therapist competency working with transgender clients in Colombia

Introduction: Transgender people often report negative and harmful experiences accessing and receiving quality mental health care, and mental health professionals rarely receive training in transgender-affirmative practice. This study translated, culturally adapted, and psychometrically assessed a Spanish language version of the Gender Identity Counselor Competency Scale-3 (GICCS-3), a commonly used measure of transgender competency, with a sample of mental health professionals working in Colombia. Methods: In an online survey of 453 mental health professionals, diverse in age, clinical experience, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, therapist competency with transgender clients was assessed in a Spanish-language version of the GICCS-3. The measure was adapted and piloted prior to the data collection; exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability, and convergent validity were explored. Results: The 21-item adapted tool proved evidence of psychometric quality for using the same three factors as the original. Competency working with transgender people was correlated with interpersonal connections with LGBT people, and LGBT clinical experience. Discussion: The GICCS-3 Spanish language version has proved positive evidence of validity and reliability in a Colombian sample. Thus, it is a promising tool to assess baseline knowledge, clinical preparedness, and therapist attitudes toward transgender people in Spanish-speaking South American contexts similar to Colombia, and may be used in clinical training to identify gaps and educational needs.