Affirmative Attachment-Based Family Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Youth with Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

Affirmative Attachment-Based Family Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Youth with Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

Friday, May 20, 2022

Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm

Presented By: Jody Russon, Ph.D., MA

Location: Online Workshop

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3 CE Credits

Act 48 credit available

Many LGBTQIA+ youth live in supportive family environments; however, others experience intolerance and rejection in their family relationships. In this presentation, we describe and illustrate the adaptation of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT; Diamond et al., 2014) for LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those presenting in LGBTQIA+ community centers (informed by Diamond et al., 2012; Russon et al., 2021). We describe the basics of the ABFT model and how it can be applied with LGBTQIA+ youth and their families with special consideration to issues of outness, macro/microaggressions, and working with caregivers. Video reviews and small group role-plays will be facilitated.

Objectives:

1. Describe at least two theoretical foundations of ABFT
2. Describe the five clinical tasks of ABFT
3. Describe at least three adaptations in affirmative ABFT
4. Identify affirmative ABFT adaptations in a treatment session

Dr. Russon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. She is a translational scientist contributing to the fields of family therapy and suicidology. Community-engaged research (CEnR) is a fundamental value of her approach to science, practice and education. Her line of research specifically focuses on the adaptation, dissemination and implementation of suicide interventions and prevention strategies. Dr. Russon has three, overlapping areas of research. Her primary research area is centered on adapting, testing and disseminating family-based suicide treatment models for underserved youth populations, particularly LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults. She has focused her efforts on adapting a family-centered suicide treatment, Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT; Diamond, Diamond, & Levy, 2014), for transgender and gender diverse youth. Second, in an effort to better engage with the systems interfacing with those with suicidal thoughts and behavior, she is establishing another line of research to implement screening and triage approaches in these systems. Finally, Dr. Russon’s third area of research contributes to the others by examining factors associated with help seeking and service utilization. To support these efforts, Dr. Russon operates a transdisciplinary research initiative, called the Alliance for the Study of Suicide Prevention and Intervention through Relationship Enrichment. Dr. Russon’s teaching and supervisory experience is focused on applied skills for family therapy researchers and practitioners. She has a particular interest in mixed methods research (MMR) and has developed a doctoral-level course to train students to conduct MMR. Dr. Russon is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor and a Person-of-the-Therapist instructor. She is also a certified trainer and supervisor in ABFT and has received advanced clinical training in emotionally focused therapy for couples.

PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology Network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.