Affirmative Therapy Research Paper

Words: 1135
Pages: 5
Open Document
When providing therapy to LGBT individuals, it’s important to be aware of and empathetic to the issues listed above and be mindful of positive ways to engage clients that fosters a therapeutic alliance. The term Affirmative Therapy is “an approach to therapy that embraces a positive view of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) identities and relationships and addresses the negative influences that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism have on the lives of LGBTQ clients” (Rock, 2010, p. 176). As clinicians working with LGBT individuals, we need to understand what it truly means to be an affirmative therapist and apply this treatment approach in our everyday practice. Being an LGBT ally is more than just understanding theories …show more content…
According to a 2002 article published by the American Psychological Association, some common themes practitioners encountered when working with LGBT individuals include gender identification, relationship concerns, post-coming-out problems, parenting dynamics, aging concerns and health-related issues. While being educated on topics relative to the LGBT community is undoubtedly important, social workers also need to be informed of different treatment modalities that effectively incorporate appropriate therapy models during practice. When working with LGBT individuals, the most common therapies include Gay Affirmative Practice (GAP), Affirmative Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). GAP is increasingly becoming the most widely used model by which to approach treatment with LGBT clients. According to Crisp (2004), “GAP affirms LGBT identity and heterosexual identity as equally positive experiences, actively counteracts the homophobia and heterosexism that LGBT clients have experienced and often internalized, can be applied to a variety of mental health and substance abuse treatment settings and modalities—including individual, couple, family, and group—and is becoming the goal toward which those in the mental health and substance abuse fields are striving.” Similarly, Affirmative Therapy “involves a strong focus on the therapeutic alliance, with the therapist serving as an advocate for the client and being mindful that LGBT persons have a sociopolitical reality that heterosexuals do not have to contend with” (Bieschke, 2012). Using this developmental and culturally sensitive understanding, the therapist also must engage in meaningful self-reflection and exploration, determining how heterosexist biases might inform their work and interpersonal views. Furthermore, affirmative therapists believe their clients sexual
Show More

Related Documents: Affirmative Therapy Research Paper

Psyopathology Of Children And Adolescents

behavioral problem. From this film, you are to write a paper, describing and making comments on the behavioral presentation portrayed. No two students can choose the same film. Your paper is NOT to show your knowledge of the film, but rather, your knowledge of psychopathology, classification of disorders, and related interventions. It will also serve as a demonstration of your professional writing ability. Format: The writing of your paper is to be double-spaced and length from 550 to 850 words…

Words 616 - Pages 3

2012 Presidential Election Essay

2012 Presidential Election: An Election to Preserve America By: Morgan Jenny April 17, 2014 PAS 320- Dr. Bruce Tyler Final exam paper During President Barack Obama’s first term conservatives felt that success came in the form of fighting Obama with every step he took. He took office hoping to bring real change and support for middle and lower class Americans; the type of progressive inclusion these classes had not seen in five decades. Conservatives hope to not only stymie his efforts…

Words 1366 - Pages 6

Course Project Essay

a certainty that professionals need to identify appropriate programs for the population to lead successful lives. The article draws on the literature and research findings therein to imply that the issue of discrimination towards people with mental or physical disabilities effects the overall population. Theories are contributed into the paper to validate interventions strategies used in projects for societies to gain cultural competency. Keywords: Disability, Self-Efficient Life, Normality, Harboring…

Words 3036 - Pages 13

African American Suicide

Abstract Among African-Americans, suicide is increasing at a faster rate. It deserves thorough attention from several sectors within the contemporary society. This paper clearly elaborates the probable causes of suicide among African-Americans, and the suitable methods of prevention. It discusses matters linked to mental health, suicide, and African-Americans. Besides, it exemplifies that social contexts contribute in shaping the existence of African-Americans. As such, it is important to appreciate…

Words 2392 - Pages 10

Animal Experimentation Essay

Research Paper Mar.12.2011 Animal experimentation There are nearly 80 million domestic dogs in the United States, owned by more than 45 million households. In at least half of these households, the family dog receives a Christmas present. Millions of dog owners celebrate their dog’s birthday. If a family’s dog somehow were needed to force to live a short and painful life, the family would undoubtedly feel some combination of grief and anger. What can be said about dog owners can also be said about…

Words 3145 - Pages 13

Literature Review on Mindfulness-Based Therapy Essay

Mindfulness-based Interventions in the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Substance-use Disorders: An Evidence-Based Practice Paper Jasmine, Kah Yan Loo Student Number: 17262661 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) School of Psychological Science La Trobe University…

Words 11242 - Pages 45

Sources of Ethics Essay

decisions serve as a guide to conduct and as a shield by which the employee can protect against unethical advances from those outside the firm. • Third, may professional and industry associations have developed codes of ethics, such as the Affirmative Ethical Principles of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In sum, codes of conduct seem to be a growing expression of the business community's sincere concern about ethics. However, the utility of such codes remains unsettled…

Words 20200 - Pages 81