What is Affirmative Therapy?
Over the past decade, researchers and mental health professionals have contributed to the development of a specific therapeutic approach known as affirmative therapy.
There are troubling mental health statistics for LGBT people and the barriers they face when trying to access appropriate and timely support.
The complexities involved in the development of mental health issues for the community highlight the need for cultural competence when providing therapeutic care.
How does affirmative therapy work?
Affirmative therapy is recommended as a central part of psychological care for LGBTQI+ clients.
It is not considered a standalone intervention, but rather an approach that can be integrated into other treatment interventions.
What are the 7 components of affirmative therapy?
1._Promoting an inclusive and safe environment
Promoting an inclusive and safe environment. This entails using language that invites LGBTQI+ people to disclose their identity if they wish to do so.
It also includes demonstrating an understanding of LGBTQI+ culture. This can be by recognising the correct use of language, and the hesitancy to engage in therapy and disclose important information.
2. Knowledge of prejudice and stigma that invalidate LGBTQI+ identities
Practitioners should have a thorough knowledge of historical and current prejudice and stigma that invalidates LGBTQI+ identities and their impact.
This understanding includes the recognition of differences in gender expression and identity. Whether it be in different environments or specific experiences that the older LGBTQI+ generation faced.
In addition to how coming out can impact relationships, changes to legal and medical rights, societal inequities and beyond.
3. Validate experiences of discrimination and minority stressors
Validation is crucial. These experiences are real, they are unfair/unjust, and the client is resilient and should be recognised as such.
4. Facilitate insight
Practitioners must recognise how external stressful events may develop negative cognitive distortions on self-identity.
This includes building skills to evaluate distress to stigma rather than the self. Many Pre-existing therapy models and interventions are useful here including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
5. Promote identity pride
Celebrate identity as real and something to be valued. Support the integration of previously oppressed identity into the sense of self.
It is important to consider potential vulnerability here. Promote identity evolution/exploration and foster autonomy outside of the therapy room.
This includes continuing to educate and provide resources to obtain different forms of affirmation (for example through social or medical sources).
6. Encourage strengths within the community
Encouraging strengths can include chosen families, community groups and specific social groups. In this component, the individual and accumulated group are supported to share resources and validation.
7. Therapist self-refection of affirmative therapy
Finally, therapists should regularly practice self-refection of bias, attitudes and situational competency. Therapists should also advocate for their clients to other allied health professionals.
In conclusion…
Therapists must consider when constructs should be considered within clinical focus and when they should not.
For example, some individuals may not present with issues associated with minority stress and clinicians should refrain from stereotyping or assume that they do.
Clinicians must confidently integrate affirmative strategies within sessions without avoiding them due to fear of being perceived as incompetent or discriminative.
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