NEW RESEARCH ON LGBTQ+ SEXUAL ORIENTATION CHANGE

The work in this systematic review, co-authored by one of The Collective’s clinical therapists John ‘Jack’ Senese IV, LCSW, highlights the importance of why the stages of coming out are essential to decreasing the emotional stress associated with sexual minority identity. The research focuses on the additional layer of stress, sexual minority stress,  LGBTQ+ clients often have to explore while already working to improve other aspects of their emotional health.

 

At The Collective, we offer both group and individual therapy for LGBTQ+ clients who are looking to explore identity and the effects of sexual minority identity. The Proud & Empowered intervention is an evidenced-based group protocol coming out of the University of Southern California School of Social Work and follows a strengths-based approach that targets one of 10 domains of sexual minority stress each week.

 

LGBTQ+ Affirmative Individual Therapy provides clients the opportunity to explore their inner and outer worlds, and how it intersects with mental health. The empowerment piece of The Mental Health Collective group and individual therapy focuses on how our clients work together to build a support network focused on resiliency, to buffer against the additional layer of sexual minority stress.

 

A clinician who understands the delicate emotional state surrounding the coming out and self-acceptance process of identity formation can address these target areas while also empowering clients to focus on self-acceptance and social cohesiveness. The Collective believes that all clients will feel stronger in themselves, and their mental health journey, when they understand all aspects of their identity journey.

 

As an LGBTQ+ Affirming Center, we believe in unpacking sexual minority stress and helping each client find their path to a place of self and other acceptance to positively impact their mental health.

 

Written by: Dr. Kristen Zaleski, PhD, LCSW