Abstract

COSTA, Pedro Alexandre. Psychotherapy experiences of heterosexual cisgender and LGBT+ people: preliminary findings. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.3, pp.894-907.  Epub Dec 31, 2021. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/21psd220310.

The present study aimed to examine the mental health of Heterosexual Cisgender (HC) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+) people and to examine the psychotherapy experiences of LGBT+ people. and the impact of these experiences on mental health. A sample of 322 participants was collected, including 207 HC and 115 LGBT+ who completed an online survey. Participants completed a series of questions about their psychotherapy experience and the CORE-OM. The results revealed that LGBT+ people manifested significantly worse mental health indicators, namely, greater general suffering and risk and less well-being and general functioning than HC people. The worse mental health indicators of LGBT+ people were partially explained by exposure to conversion practices, state of the psychotherapeutic process, and quality of the relationship with the psychotherapist. Close to 3% of LGBT+ participants reported having been exposed to conversion practices and revealed worse mental health indicators, namely, almost three times greater risk of suicidality than other LGBT+ people. The results of this study have important implications for clinical practice, highlighting the need for specific training of health professionals for the needs of LGBT+ people. Implications for health policies are also highlighted, confirming that conversion practices are detrimental for the mental health of LGBT+ people, and should therefore be opposed.

Keywords : Mental health; Psychotherapy; Conversion therapies; Suicidality; Sexual minorities; Gender minorities.

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