Advocacy and empowerment: Group therapy for LGBT asylum seekers.

Abstract

In countries worldwide, LGBT individuals are subject to persecution and discrimination, including grave human rights violations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Asylum provides a mechanism for LGBT individuals fleeing such persecution to legally remain in the United States. However, asylum is not guaranteed, and the asylum-seeking process may be particularly challenging for individuals with complex trauma histories. Although many LGBT asylum seekers are referred to individual psychotherapy by their legal counsel to prepare for the asylum process and to mitigate risks for retraumatization, many decline due to fear, shame, and cultural barriers, among other factors. Thus, we offer a model of group therapy for LGBT asylum seekers, rooted in multicultural and empowerment frameworks, which aims to address the unique concerns and challenges faced by LGBT asylum seekers. These include recovery from the effects of complex trauma, managing the stress of immigration and acculturation, minimizin...