Clinical Round Table 2 - CBT as Activism: Drawing from Anti-oppressive Practice (AOP) to Support Clinicians in Using Affirming and Inclusive Treatment Approaches with LGBTQIA+ Individuals

The overarching goal of this panel will be to explore best practices in the research for CBT clinicians who are both members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, towards enhancing clinical work to better serve LGBTQIA+ individuals. A recent Gallup (2024) poll indicates 9.2% of the current adult population in the US identifies as LGBTQIA+, with rates as high as 23% for the Gen Z cohort (ages 18-27). Yet, only 28% of clinics in the U.S. offer LGBTQIA+ specific services (Choi et al., 2023). This context amplifies the importance for clinicians to provide CBT in an affirming and inclusive approach with this marginalized population, especially during this time when the LGBTQIA+ community is experiencing targeted discrimination and stress.

This Clinical Round Table will explore using Anti-Oppressive Practice (Aqil et al., 2021) principles as a framework for recommendations of affirming and inclusive treatment approaches. The anti-oppressive framework tackles the reality that oppression exists in all aspects of our society, and self-reflection is critical for clinicians to be able to shift power dynamics within institutions and ourselves (Aqil et al, 2021). Some recommendations that will be reviewed in this talk include building community, improving allyship with our fellow clinicians and supporting trainees, as well as improving clinicians’ own LGBTQIA+ affirming care through activism. Unique to this presentation is that it will offer first hand account perspectives from clinicians with lived experiences, as well as clinicians who are current allies. The primary goals for attendees will be to leave with tools to 1) enhance their clinical work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, 2) Understand how to build community and reduce burnout for themselves as well as marginalized colleagues, and 3) Apply the anti-oppressive framework principles to teaching, training, and supervision.

All panelists of this Clinical Round Table are members of the A-CBT Diversity Action Committee and are widely experienced in clinical and theoretical literature regarding minority stress theory and research on adopting an anti-oppressive frame to clinical work.