Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 55(1), Feb 2024, 18-27; doi:10.1037/pro0000526
Mental health providers (MHPs) often lack the training necessary to provide affirmative care to queer and trans clients (Snow et al., 2019). To date, only a few empirical studies have analyzed the effectiveness of queer- and trans-affirming training for MHPs (Bettergarcia, Matsuno, & Conover, 2021), and most studies do not include a control group, limiting the empirical evidence of effectiveness. The present study used a semimatched waitlist control group design (N = 47) to test the effectiveness of the ACCEPTance training program on MHP’s knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The ACCEPTance training program was an in-depth, 9-month, 45-hr training program about queer- and gender-affirming therapy. Results suggest that the ACCEPTance training program increased knowledge and skills related to queer- and trans-affirming therapy. The findings show that in-depth training on queer- and trans-affirming therapy can increase cultural competence and improve access to affirmative therapy for queer and trans individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)