• Establishing the Validity of the LGB Affirmative Training Inventory
  Presented by: Tom Stone Carlson, Christi McGeorge, Russell Toomey

• Therapist's Handling of Marital and Gender Discourses in Couple's Therapy
  Presented by: Aimee Ammanda Galick, Jessica Lynn Chen

• A Qualitative Exploration of Transgender Perspectives of Therapy
  Presented by: Kristen E. Benson

• The Disclosure to Family Experience of Queer Youth
  Presented by: Erika Lynne Grafsky

Abstracts

Establishing the Validity of the LGB Affirmative Training Inventory

Presented by: Tom Stone Carlson, Christi McGeorge, Russell Toomey

This study established the validity and factor structure of the Affirmative Training Inventory (ATI) as a measure of LGB affirmative clinical training. Additionally, this study examined the latent associations among the subscales of the ATI and the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (Bidell, 2005) utilizing a sample of 248 master's and doctoral family therapy students. The findings from this study provide empirical support for the relationship between specific classroom related content and practices associated with LGB affirmative therapy and students' perceptions of their own ability to work competently with LGB clients.

Therapist's Handling of Marital and Gender Discourses in Couple's Therapy

Presented by: Aimee Ammanda Galick, Jessica Lynn Chen

Gender discourses contribute to inequalities experienced within couple relationships.  Gender discourses place primary responsibility for the relationship and both partners' well-being on the woman.  Inequalities in couple relationships has been linked to depression and other psychological disorders in women and leave men out of the emotional equation.  This grounded theory study seeks to understand the clinical process by which therapists responds to gender discourses.  The results indicate that even though some therapists are aware of gender discourses this does not always lead to the therapist effectively challenging them so that couples can work toward more mutually supportive relationships.  

A Qualitative Exploration of Transgender Perspectives of Therapy

Presented by: Kristen E. Benson

Although visibility of transgender people is increasing and more clients who identify as transgender are seeking therapy services, there are limited resources available to clinicians, as well as significant gaps in the literature regarding transgender experiences with mental health. This poster will highlight research findings from a qualitative study that explored transgender people's experiences of therapy, which include reasons transgender clients sought therapy, believes about the lack of information therapists have about gender identity, and the importance of well-informed therapists. Clinical implications will be presented.

The Disclosure to Family Experience of Queer Youth

Presented by: Erika Lynne Grafsky

This research furthers understanding of the disclosure to family experience for non-heterosexual identified youth.  Interviews with 22 queer youth ages 14-21 & 8 parents of queer youth were conducted. Results highlight the importance of family communication patterns and closeness with family members as important factors that affect the decision to disclose.  Interviews also revealed specific behaviors that characterized successful and unsuccessful disclosure experiences.  Suggestions for future research and implications for family clinicians will be provided.