For members of sexual and gender minorities, trauma therapies work best when adapted to their realities, study suggests

Therapies for psychological trauma tailored to the realities of sexual and gender minorities appear to yield better results, according to a recent scoping review conducted by researchers from McGill University. The study, published in the journal Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, found that trauma-focused therapies delivered by highly sensitive therapists led to fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms like nightmares and intrusive thoughts, as well as reduced risk-taking behaviors such as self-harm and drug use.

The researchers emphasized the importance of acknowledging the additional stress caused by stigma and discrimination faced by members of these minority groups. Senior author Zoë Thomas noted that these individuals already face a higher rate of trauma exposure compared to the general population, and often encounter discrimination when seeking therapy.

The study highlights the potential benefits of inclusive interventions, such as using gender-neutral language, asking for pronouns, displaying visible signs of affirmation, and being knowledgeable about community resources.

The researchers analyzed 10 studies meeting their criteria and identified several promising trauma-focused therapies, including Seeking Safety, dialectical behavioral therapy-prolonged exposure, narrative exposure therapy, trauma-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavior therapy for trauma and self-care. However, they cautioned that the existing evidence is limited, with most studies involving small sample sizes and few controlled comparisons.

The authors hope their findings will inform clinical practice guidelines to promote more inclusive practices for sexual and gender minorities. They plan to integrate the results into their Trauma-Focused Therapy Program at the Jewish General Hospital.