Affirmative Therapy

LGBTQ affirmative therapy is defined as a set of skills and clinical practices that are informed by a positive view of LGBTQ individuals and relationships and an awareness of the negative influences of heterosexism and homophobia on the well-being of LGBTQ individuals and relationships. Based on this definition, in order to provide competent and affirmative services with LGBTQ clients, therapists have a responsibility to engage in self-of-the-therapist work to explore their own beliefs and biases related to LGBTQ identities and relationships. An entry on LGBTQ affirmative therapy is particularly relevant to examining and understanding the lives and experiences of LGBTQ individuals given that research has shown that LGBTQ persons seek therapy services at more than twice the rate of heterosexual individuals and the therapeutic community ...