Affirmative Counselling and Psychotherapy for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population: Priorities for Policy, Practice and Research in India

Abstract

Traditionally lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)individuals have been viewed as “mentally ill” by mental healthprofessionals. This stance has not changed the world majorly over,including India contributing to the stigma and discrimination of peoplewho identify as LGBT. It affects not only their mental health but alsotheir access to appropriate mental health care in general.In the last two decades, the importance of providing culturallyappropriate and LGBT affirmative counselling and psychotherapy hasbeen recognized. However, knowledge and understanding of affirmativecounselling and psychotherapy need to be addressed in the Indiancontext. Remarkably, very few researchers and mental healthpractitioners have investigated the LGBT affirmative counselling andpsychotherapy in India. As a result, mental health professionals knowlittle about this unique population.This commentary presents the need for affirmative counselling andpsychotherapy for working with gay, lesbian bisexual and transgenderclients and offers future directions for strengthening capacity foraffirmative counselling and psychotherapy in India.