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The different axes to remedy LGBTI discrimination in psychology

Writer's picture: chloevidalrosatichloevidalrosati

  • Training:


To address these discriminations, therapies and training courses have been created by LGBTI people for LGBTI people or allies who wish to be properly trained. Among these we find transaffirmative narrative therapy:


To follow the post-modern and constructivist school of thought that we have already mentioned, this therapy considers that there is no objective reality in itself and that the idea of ​​reality as an individual perceives it is a social construction that is developed through language and in social relationships. Thus, values ​​and beliefs would be constructed by members of the same social group. The goal of therapy would therefore be to deconstruct these preconceived ideas, these social codes instilled by society that prevent people from experiencing this gender fluidity and/or sexual orientation.


In addition to inclusive therapies, several training courses have been set up to inform, raise awareness and educate professionals. To avoid bad experiences, many are turning to practitioners who are qualified as "LGBTI-friendly". Many young people are now ready to travel further or have a teleconsultation in order to be sure of being in front of a person who is aware and educated about LGBTI issues. Among many training courses, we can find:


  • Training with APPEA (Association of Child and Adolescent Psychology and Psychopathology) on how to support the transidentity of children and adolescents, delivered by Mehdi LIRATN

  • In Nice, for 2 years, the Trans Azur conference has been training health professionals on trans issues and transinclusivity

  • Training courses such as 'Understanding Queer Cultures' created by the Association for Queer and Feminist Care (ASQF)

  • ASADIS (Updating knowledge remotely) offers training courses on how to 'Support trans and non-binary people in psychotherapy'

  • CRIPS (Regional Center for Information and Prevention of AIDS and for Youth Health) provides training on 'How to improve the reception and care of LGBTI+ people

  • OUT Trans provides training on supporting trans people


Educating yourself:


On the vocabulary, legal framework, scientific knowledge and advances:


  • LGBTI people being more prone to aggression and violence are therefore favorable to PTSD. Learn about the signs, symptoms of this disorder (dissociative symptoms, re-experiencing, avoidance, hypervigilance) as well as associated psychiatric disorders (addiction, depression, somatization)

  • Know the variations in sexual development (VSD) of your patients to provide health promotion and prevention advice as well as more adequate care

  • Several university degrees specialize in supporting trans people: "Gender practices: education, medicine, psychoanalysis and society", "Transidentity management", etc. Their main objective is to provide theoretical, medical, clinical, legal and societal knowledge to identify, diagnose and refer people with gender identity disorders and to know their management

  • Have a solid understanding of the impact of minority stressors and internalized stigma in order to provide culturally informed psychotherapy services

  • Use inclusive language and thinking

  • Do not assume heterosexuality and gender

  • Free yourself from preconceived ideas, do not make generalizations

  • It is preferable to use neutral terms, which do not imply any gender. For example, the term 'partner' if we want to ask our patient if they are in a relationship

  • Use respectful and appropriate language, especially the use of the name and pronoun chosen by the patients

  • Use the terms that the person uses to refer to themselves, including the first name and gender identity of their choice. When in doubt, ask people how they would like to be called

  • Arrange the space in the office or hospital according to all gender identities (for example: forms in gender-neutral language and access to gender-neutral toilets)


Keep an open approach:


  • Remain aware that a married person and/or someone with children is not necessarily heterosexual or cisgender

  • Put your representations aside. It is important to forget your own principles, judgments, values, beliefs and anything that can limit the understanding of the other

  • Know how to listen to the other without interrupting, with attention, ask them questions

  • Rely on active listening techniques. Active listening is a communication technique that consists of using questioning and reformulation to ensure that you have understood the message of the other person as best you can

  • Treat patients appropriately and without discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression

  • Provide a safe and equitable environment for transgender people and gender variant or gender non-conforming people in institutional settings

  • Decenter the heterocissexist experience, make environments trans-inclusive in collaboration with the communities directly concerned, and practice the informed consent approach


Use inclusive language and thinking:


  • Do not assume heterosexuality and gender

  • Free yourself from preconceived ideas, do not make generalizations

  • It is preferable to use neutral terms, which do not imply any gender. For example, the term 'partner' if we want to ask our patient if he is in a relationship

  • Use respectful and appropriate language, especially the use of the name and pronoun chosen by the patients

  • Use the terms that the person uses to refer to him/herself, in particular the first name and the gender identity of his/her choice. When in doubt, ask people how they want to be called

  • Arrange the space in the office or hospital according to all gender identities (for example: forms in gender-neutral language and access to gender-neutral toilets)



Get informed:


  • Get informed about the many LGBTI associations (SOS homophobie, Outrans, etc.)

  • Know the online resources to be able to get information/redirect (Espace Santé Trans, Réseau de Santé Trans)

  • Get informed about the risks, statistics on family rejection, suicide rates, precariousness, physical assaults and verbal


Getting referenced:


Finally, once all the steps have been completed to be properly trained and informed, there are sites that reference medical professionals who are considered 'LGBTI-friendly'. These professionals have been interviewed, verified, and certified by training centers. These references can be online on PsyGay, Psy Safe, Médecin Gay Friendly, etc. or via associations such as ENIPSE which has set up a network of mental health professionals and sexologists in 13 cities in France since 2017.


I have seen through many testimonies that referencing and word of mouth are the most widespread strategies in the community to ensure everyone's safety.


So there are plenty of ways to train, to be up to date in order to be able to support LGBTI people in an educated manner.


Bibliographie:

Lange, T. M. (2020). Trans-affirmative narrative exposure therapy (TA-NET) : A therapeutic approach for targeting minority stress, internalized stigma, and trauma reactions among gender diverse adults: Practice Innovations. Practice Innovations, 5(3), 230‑245. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000126

Bize, R ; Berrut, S ; Volkmar, E ; Medico, D ; Werlen, M ; Aegerter, A ; Wahlen, R ; Bodenmann, P. Vulnérabilités, diversités et équité en santé (2022). Soins de qualité pour les personnes lesbiennes, gays, bisexuelles, transgenres et intersexuées. https://www.cairn.info/vulnerabilites-diversites-et-equite-en-sante--9782880495121-page-347.htm

Aline Carrupt Editor. (2023, 20 septembre). PROFA | Personnes LGBTIQ+ : un rapport constate des inégalités face à la santé. PROFA. https://www.profa.ch/lgbt-rapport-cf

Beltran, G (2022). Santé Publique. Les besoins en santé mentale des personnes migrantes LGBTI : entre orientation généraliste et soutien communautaire. https://www.cairn.info/revue-sante-publique-2022-HS2-page-251.htm?ref=doi

William Peraud (2024). Webinaire : Les TSPT chez les personnes LGBTQIA+ - L'Association Française du Psychotraumatisme et de la Résilience (AFPR)

Maurin, L. (2023, 26 janvier). L'homosexualité largement tolérée, mais loin d'être banalisée. Observatoire des Inégalités. https://inegalites.fr/valeurs-homosexualite


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