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Transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) adults face structural and interpersonal stigma from their families and society at large when living openly and seeking gender affirming healthcare. To better understand the significance of family and social contexts for shaping the lived experiences of TGNB adults, this phenomenological qualitative study aimed to describe TGNB transgender identity development and coming out processes inclusive of significant past and present experiences. TGNB participants (N = 17) completed a one-time semi-structured interview and member checking of analysis findings. Results identified two themes: 1) TGNB identity development and socially "testing the waters" in gender expression; and 2) coming out when "the world just refuses to make space." Implications are made for advancing feminist systemic research and clinical practice with TGNB clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family relationships are protective against poor behavioral health for youth. Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) graduate programs are critical for readying the behavioral workforce to work systemically with youth and their families. This study identified the elements of a CFT masters training process that readied students to work with youth. Qualitative description with focus group interviews of three cohorts of master's students (n = 14) was used. Thematic analysis identified five themes demonstrating the primacy of early experiences for fostering safety, reflective and active training approaches, multicultural and sexuality topics, and pragmatics of talking to physicians and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) young people from religious families are at increased risk of family rejection, poor mental health outcomes, and are overrepresented in mental health services. This article describes a two-part qualitative study aimed at exploring the experiences of LGBQ young adults from religious families in psychotherapy, identifying positive and negative psychotherapy experiences, and understanding the influence of family and religion on the psychotherapy experience. Data were collected through a web-based survey (n = 77) and interviews (n = 7) with LGBQ young adults (ages 18-25) from religious families. The study followed an interpretative phenomenological approach. Integrated results found often invisible, relational therapy processes, and religious discourses as significant to LGBQ young people who seek psychotherapy. Implications for future research, effective systemic family therapy practices with LGBQ young people from religious families, and a critique on ethical and legal limits of confidentiality with policy implications are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of students enrolled in COAMFTE-accredited Couple and Family Therapy programs who transitioned to telehealth and telesupervision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Likert scales and free response prompts, 77 graduate students provided insight into how their academic programs and external internships prepared them for the transition. Results indicated webinars, articles, and additional supervision were the most frequently used training methods. Many participants reported feeling supported by their academic program and external internship supervisors, particularly through well-being check-ins, candid and open discussion, and increased availability of supervisors. A smaller proportion of participants experienced a lack of communication from leadership, leading to feelings of disorganization and isolation. These results highlight specific ways supervisors and instructors can support students in times of transition and crisis. Recommendations regarding communication with students and engagement of interns for academic programs and external internship sites are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Couple and family therapists are increasingly using telehealth platforms to deliver services. Unfortunately, the literature on relational teletherapy is not well developed. This study sought to understand experiences of teletherapy with couples and families as it contrasts with individual clients and in‐person therapy. We utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to qualitative inquiry from data collected through open‐ended questions on a web‐based survey of graduate student trainees (n = 66) in COAMFTE‐accredited couple and family therapy programs. Thematic analysis identified the body‐of‐the‐therapist and client as they exist (and are obstructed) due to technology for creating barriers and opportunities in translating CFT intervention to telehealth platforms. Relational teletherapy cultivated therapist creativity and exhaustion. It also made plain the need for systemic interventions with children and adolescents that engages their parents and home environments. Implications for CFT practice, training, and intervention research are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified grounded theory method was utilized to explore the process of how clinicians defined and chose to respond to challenging issues in systemic therapy. Defining an issue as challenging was determined by negotiating internal and external cues and “bringing it forward” and “slowing the pace” emerged as key themes in responding to challenging issues. Clinicians appeared to focus on in-session relational process over content, attending to internal aspects of themselves and their interaction with clients and then negotiating those aspects of awareness with their clients. Practice implications are focused on supervision and helping postgraduate clinicians move toward the developmental stage of experienced professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience more negative health outcomes compared with their heterosexual peers. The health disparities are often related to family and social rejection of the LGBT individuals. Integrated care, and Medical Family Therapy in particular, may aid in addressing the systemic nature of the negative health outcomes. Method: To better understand the current state of the integrated care literature on addressing the health needs of LGBT individuals, a systematic review of the research literature was conducted from January 2000 to January 2016 for articles including integrated health care interventions for LGBT populations. Independent reviewers coded identified articles. Results: Only 8 research articles met criteria for inclusion out of the 2,553 initially identified articles in the search. Results indicated a lack of integrated care research on health care and health needs of LGBT individuals, and none of the articles addressed the use of family or systemic-level interventions. Discussion: Implications for future research and the need for better education training are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]