Concurrent Sessions 5 - (NBCC CE Credit: #1 hr and Conference Attendance Credit: #1 hr)

217-01: Attachment-Based Family Therapy: Attachment Outcomes for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth
Jody Russon, Bora Jin

Summary
Despite the impact of family factors on the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, few suicide treatments have 1) targeted family dynamics as a core treatment mechanism and 2) examined relationship outcomes for this population. The present paper examines changes in self-reported attachment with caregivers from a sample of youth (N=10) receiving attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) in the context of organizations serving SGM youth. Two preliminary findings were revealed. First, involvement in ABFTmay lower self-reported avoidant attachment to mothers, but only depending on caregivers' stress and depression levels. Second, youths' self-reported avoidant attachment to fathers increased over the course of this therapy. Several clinical interpretations will be presented as possible explanations for these findings. Future directions for research will be discussed.

Objectives
-- To summarize the rationale for using family-based suicide treatments for sexual and gender minority youth
-- To describe how the methods in this study were used to investigate whether attachment-based family therapy supported decreases in attachment insecurity
-- To discuss how research findings can be understood through the core clinical tenants of attachment-based family therapy

Subject Codes: mental health, suicide, relationship quality
Population Codes: lgb+, transgender, trans*, adolescence
Method and Approach Codes: growth curve modeling (GCM), evidence-based practice/programs, outcomes-based research

217-02: Sexual and Gender Minority Protections and Competencies in Mental Health Care: Where We Are and Where We Should Go
Natasha Williams, Brennan Winer, Elizabeth Aparicio, Mia Smith-Bynum, Bradley Boekeloo, Jessica Fish

Summary
Research demands mental health professionals who are affirming of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people. However,mental health disciplines vary in the degree to which they have codified expectations of SGM-related competence in their national codes of ethics and training program accreditation standards.We use content analysis of these guiding documents from nine mental health disciplines to evaluate the protections for SGM people and expectations regarding culturally-competent professional practice. Eachdiscipline enumerated protections for at least one sexual or gender minority identity in their non-discrimination statement. Disciplines varied appreciably in guidance for clinician advocacy, clinician education, protections for SGM clients, and culturally competent professional development.Results suggest the need for improved competencies and expectations in the training and clinical practice of licensed mental health professionals.

Objectives
-- To document the discrimination protections for SGM individuals across mental health disciplines
-- To assess the ways mental health providers are expected to be trained and/or competent is working with SGM clients
-- To inform guidance around the training and clinical practice of licensed mental health professionals

Subject Codes: mental health
Population Codes: queer (used as an umbrella term and/or for those who claim it as an identity), transgender inclusive, marriage and family therapists/clinicians
Method and Approach Codes: content analysis, ethics and values

217-03: Sexual Debut of LDS Couples: A Qualitative Study
Jeremy Boden, Elizabeth Fawcett, Tracie Whitlock, Karl Christensen, Jenna Lawlor, Trevor Topham, Ashley Cox, Tucker Wallace, Christina Lloyd

Summary
The experience of sexual debut is often a monumental moment for individuals and can mark the transition into adulthood and act as a rite of passage. Much of the research has focused on unmarried emerging adults and their first coital experience. This qualitative study focused on the lived experience of 40 (20 couples) engaged-to-be-married and sexually abstinent partners before and after the wedding. Results suggest that, while most partners traversed the transition into sexual activity well, there were several partners who experienced emotional, psychological, and physical difficulties. Implications for family life education and clinical practice are given.

Objectives
-- Analyze the lived experience of couples transitioning into sexual activity upon marrying.
-- Apply findings to premarital and newly married couples education as it pertains to sexual intimacy.
-- Identify the developmental processes of sexual debut in highly religious couples.

Subject Codes: sexuality, relationships, transitions
Population Codes: emerging/young adulthood, Latter Day Saints (Mormon), first married
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology

Facilitator: Gizem Erdem