Mental Health Practice with LGBTQ+ Children, Adolescents, and Emerging Adults in Multiple Systems of Care

This book provides an overview of risk and protective factors for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth and emerging adults to inform the clinical practice of mental health professionals who work with this population. Documentation of LGBTQ+ health disparities is well-established, but much of that work has focused on adults. Additionally, while there has been a greater push for the integration of mental health practice with general healthcare delivery in recent years, there are few resources for educating mental health professionals on how to work within interdisciplinary teams to address the psychological, physical, and behavioral health care needs of LGBTQ+ people. This book addresses gaps in the literature, such as the needs of young age groups and integration of physical and mental approaches to care, which have traditionally been neglected in the health disparities literature for psychologists and other mental health professionals. This book is grounded in Minority Stress Theory, as well as multicultural, intersectional, and positive youth development frameworks. It emphasizes holistic health perspectives, integrated care approaches (of mental health with general health service delivery), and interdisciplinary team efforts targeting both the psychological and physical health needs of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.