Promoting Identity Wellness in LGBTGEQIAP+ Adolescents Through Affirmative Therapy

Affirmative therapy is a strength-based and non-pathological treatment approach that allows counselors to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender/two-spirit, gender expressive, queer/questioning, intersex, agender/asexual/aromantic, pansexual/pan/polygender, and other related identities (LGBTGEQIAP+) adolescents meet important developmental milestones and achieve a positive self-identity. The wellness model allows counselors to emphasize a client’s protective factors, self-identity, and address the intersectionality of various life roles promoting a holistic picture of health. The authors explored how affirmative therapy and the wellness model can be utilized together when working with LGBTGEQIAP+ adolescents through a review of literature and a case conceptualization. Finally, counseling implications are discussed.