Summary
In this workshop, we will collaborate with participants to reimagine established family therapy models from a queer-centered perspective. The presenters will offer a three-step framework for queer-contextualizing established family therapy models; first demonstrating the application of the framework using examples and then helping participants apply this framework for themselves.

Objectives

• To identify cisheteronormative assumptions in a family therapy model.
• To reflect on how these assumptions show up in their clinical practice.
• To develop new assumptions that center queer and trans people and relationships.

Subject Codes: inclusion, cisnormativity, heteronormativity
Population Codes: all gender inclusive, inclusive, diverse but not representative
Method and Approach Codes: clinical/therapeutic orientation, family therapy, intersectionality

Summary
This study sought to explore the beliefs of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) about why sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and gender identity change efforts (GICE) should be labeled as unethical in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics. Utilizing an online survey, this study collected data from 208 clinicians with a range of therapeutic experiences and social location identities. Participants responded to open-ended questions, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed four themes describing why MFTs support GICE and SOCE being labeled as unethical in the AAMFT Code of Ethics: (1) Does not fit the values/roles of being an MFT; (2) Does not fit the ethics of being an MFT; (3) Is harmful and ineffective; and (4) AAMFT has an ethical imperative. Implications for therapists and training programs are discussed.

Objectives

• To evaluate Marriage and Family Therapists’ rationales for banning the practices of SOCE and GICE.
• To demonstrate an understanding of steps that national professional association can take to regulate and end the practice of SOCE and GICE.
• To better utilize the existing research on the harmfulness and ineffectiveness of SOCE and GICE.

Subject Codes: heteronormativity, gender identity
Population Codes: marriage and family therapists/ clinicians
Method and Approach Codes: therapy, qualitative methodology

Summary
This qualitative study sought to understand the perspectives of Christian pastors on the consequences of families accepting or rejecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) members. Utilizing in-depth interviews with a semi-structured interview guide, this study collected data from 21 mainline Protestant Christian pastors in the Upper Midwest. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed four themes describing various consequences that participants saw resulting from families accepting or rejecting LGB members: (1) Acceptance Changes Relationships Within and Outside of Family; (2) Rejection Harms LGB Individuals and their Family, (3) Rejection Harms LGB Peoples’ Relationship with Multiple Aspects of Religiosity, and (4) Liberation as a Result of Rejection. Implications for how therapists can support LGB people and their families, especially individuals from Christian religious backgrounds, are discussed.

Objectives

• To analyze Christian pastors’ perspectives on the consequences of families rejecting or accepting LGB members.
• To demonstrate the importance of MFTs working with religious families to support LGB members.
• To utilize affirmative religious leaders as a resource for LGB individuals and their families.

Subject Codes: heteronormativity, spirituality, family processes
Population Codes: LGB+ queer (used as an umbrella term and/or for those who claim it as an identity), Christian
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology

Summary
This queer theory informed, phenomenological, qualitative study sought to understand and describe what nonbinary people believe, based on their own lived experience, is important for family therapists to know about the process of therapy when working with nonbinary people and their relationships. In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from a racially diverse sample of 21 nonbinary people across the United States. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Three themes were identified to answer the research question: 1) Therapist Way of Being Communicates Inclusion, 2) Therapists’ Knowledge of Gender Diversity Prevents Harm, and 3) Therapists Need to Attune to Relational Safety and Understanding. Clinical implications include a need for self-of-the-therapist work to deconstruct cisnormative understandings of gender, therapists increasing their knowledge of topics related to gender diversity, and therapists working to facilitate understanding of nonbinary gender identities in relational therapy sessions.

Objectives

• To demonstrate an understanding of the need for inclusive and helpful mental health services for nonbinary people.
• To analyze how cisnormative assumptions negatively impact the therapy process with nonbinary people and their relationships.
• To utilize inclusive clinical strategies and ways of being when working with nonbinary clients.

Subject Codes: gender identity, mental health
Population Codes: marriage and family therapists/ clinicians, non-binary
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology