Skip to main content
ABCT 2023 Annual Convention Main banner
Final Program


Program Flipbook
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Ticketed Session
Ticketed Session
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Back
Evaluation ViewAttendees 5

Traditional Workshop - Ticketed

LGBTQ+

Session: Fostering Queer Joy in Youth: How to do Affirmative Cognitive Behavior Therapy with LGBTQ+ Youth & Their Families

Workshop 5 - Fostering Queer Joy in Youth: How to Do Affirmative Cognitive Behavior Therapy with LGBTQ+ Youth & Their Families

Friday, November 17, 2023
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Location: Entiat (404), Level 4
Earn 3 Credit
Ticketed Session
Keywords: LGBTQ+, CBT, Adolescents
Level of Familiarity: Moderate
Recommended Readings: Cohen, J. M. & Feinstein, B. A. (2020). Adapting cognitive and behavioral strategies to meet the unique needs of sexual and gender minorities. The Behavior Therapist, 43(3), 81 – 86.,   Zullo, L., Seager van Dyk, I., Ollen, E. W., Ramos, N., Asarnow, J.R., & Miranda, J. (2021). Treatment recommendations and barriers to care for suicidal LGBTQ youth: A quality improvement study. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 6(3), 393-409.,   Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., Pascoe, R., & Austin, A. (2021). Adapting clinical skills to telehealth: Applications of affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy with LGBTQ+ youth. Clinical Social Work Journal, 49(4), 471-483.,   Chen, D., Berona, J., Chan, Y. M., Ehrensaft, D., Garofalo, R., Hidalgo, M. A., ... & Olson-Kennedy, J. (2023). Psychosocial Functioning in Transgender Youth after 2 Years of Hormones. New England Journal of Medicine, 388(3), 240-250.,   Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).
Due to ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ stigma in society, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health concerns relative to their cisgender, heterosexual peers (Russell & Fish, 2016). Fortunately, families with LGBTQ+ children frequently seek mental health treatment , offering an exciting opportunity for mental health professionals to help shift these vulnerable youths’ mental health trajectories towards wellbeing. Mental health providers can potentially combat systemic injustices and cultivate joy in LGBTQ+ youth with affirming mental health treatments (e.g., Craig & Austin, 2016; Pachankis et al., 2022). However without training in LGBTQ+ affirming care, mental health providers may feel ill equipped to work with this population (Gandy et al., 2013), and LGBTQ+ youth may be less comfortable seeking care from providers (e.g., Zullo et al., 2021). As a result, it is likely that LGBTQ+ mental health disparities will persist, and the impact of evidence-based practice, including CBT, may be limited.

This workshop aims to provide attendees with the basic tools needed to use evidence-based clinical practice (i.e., CBT) with LGBTQ+ youth and their families using an affirming, minority stress-informed lens. Using live demonstrations, Drs. Cohen and Seager van Dyk will teach attendees how to conceptualize cases using this lens, as well as how to adapt existing CBT techniques (e.g., exposures, cognitive flexibility) to be sensitive to the unique needs and challenges experienced by this population (e.g., gender dysphoria, coming out). This workshop will highlight strategies for navigating difficult conversations with family members of LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., parents, caregivers), and give attendees concrete ideas for how to foster well-being and joy among LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

Outline:
Overview of landscape for LGTBQ+ youth and their families
Overviews of LGBTQ+ and gender affirmative models of care
Introduction to integrating affirmative care into CBT with LGBTQ+ youth & families
Clinical roleplay of therapy session with LGBTQ+ youth
Clinical roleplay of therapy session with caregiver(s) of LGBTQ+ youth
Discussion of additional treatment considerations and anticipated problems

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:
  • Develop case conceptualizations using an integration of cognitive behavioral and LGBTQ+ affirmative frameworks.
  • Foster pride and queer joy among LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
  • Identify strategies for adapting CBT when working with LGBTQ+ youth including how to explain minority stress.
  • Ascertain how to speak with caregivers and parents about supporting LGBTQ+ youth identity development and mental health.
  • Identify two or more strategies that can be implemented to affirm LGBTQ+ identities in clinical practice.
  • Locate resources and referrals for gender affirming healthcare.
  • Long-term Goal: Reduce mental health disparities for LGBTQ+ youth by providing evidence-based and affirming care.