Mini Workshop 7 - Doing Cognitive Behavior Therapy with LGBTQ Youth & Their Families: A Live Demonstration
Friday, November 18, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST
Location: Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
Earn 1.5 CE Credit
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Treatment, Adolescents Level of Familiarity: Basic to 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.
Senior Lecturer Massey University Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Due to ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ stigma in society, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health concerns relative to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Fortunately, families with LGBTQ+ children tend to be more likely to seek mental health treatment, offering an exciting opportunity for mental health professionals to help shift these vulnerable youths’ mental health trajectories. Without improved training for our mental health workforce, disparities for this minoritized group will persist, and the impact of evidence-based practice, including CBT, may be limited.
This mini-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 a minority stress-informed, affirming 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). Finally, this mini-workshop will highlight strategies for navigating difficult conversations with family members of LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., parents, caregivers).
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:
Develop case conceptualizations using an integration of cognitive behavioral and minority stress frameworks.
Articulate how to explain minority stress theories to LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
Identify strategies for adapting CBT when working with LGBTQ+ youth.
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.
Long-term Goal: Reduce mental health disparities for LGBTQ+ youth by providing evidence-based and affirming care.