Transdiagnostic LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Therapist Guide

LGBTQ individuals seek therapy at higher rates than the general population, but the mental health profession has historically lacked evidence-based guidance for supporting the unique presenting concerns of LGBTQ clients. This book changes that by presenting how-to guidance for delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy that directly responds to the distinct stressors facing LGBTQ individuals. LGBTQ-affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is the first mental health treatment designed by and for LGBTQ individuals that has been tested in several randomized controlled trials with diverse segments of the LGBTQ community. Results of these trials show that this transdiagnostic treatment is associated with reductions in depression, anxiety, substance use problems, and psychological distress, making it suitable for a broad range of presenting concerns.

LGBTQ-affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Therapist Guide teaches the principles and techniques that mental health practitioners can use to affirmatively respond to the distinct stressors that their LGBTQ clients often face. The book follows a clear step-by-step approach with nine modules, each of which teaches skills for enhancing LGBTQ clients' mental well-being by undoing the deep impact that early and ongoing LGBTQ-related stress can have on basic psychological processes. This Therapist Guide is intended to be accompanied by the Client Workbook, which contains accessible, step-by-step guidance and worksheets for clients to follow when participating in this treatment. This guide provides essential tools for helping therapists effectively and affirmatively respond to the unique needs of their LGBTQ clients.

John Pachankis, Ph.D. is the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry at Yale and Director of Yale's LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative. His research examines the mental health of LGBTQ populations globally and the efficacy of LGBTQ-affirmative mental health interventions. He has
published 150+ scientific papers on LGBTQ mental health and stigma and recently co-edited the Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities published by Oxford University Press.

Audrey Harkess, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on mental health of LGBTQ populations, including mental health in the context of HIV prevention and treatment, mental health disparities and equity, and Latino/a/x LGBTQ
communities in particular.

Skyler Jackson, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale School of Public Health. As an award-winning researcher and psychologist, his work examines how experiences of stigma-if not adequately coped with-interfere with psychological functioning and contribute to health disparities. In
particular, much of his published work helps illuminate the complex role of intersectional stigma in shaping the everyday lives and health outcomes of LGBTQ people of color.

Steven Safren Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology and Cooper Fellow at the University of Miami (UM) in the Department of Psychology. He is also Director of the UM Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health (CHARM). For over 20 years, Dr. Safren has studied behavioral health related to sexual and
gender minorities, much of which in the context of HIV prevention and treatment, both domestically and globally. He is a leading expert in cognitive behavioral therapy, has been the editor of the journal “Cognitive and Behavioral Practice”, and has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers in his
field.