LGBTQ-Affirmative Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care

Dagoberto Heredia Jr; Tyson L Pankey; Cesar A Gonzalez

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2021.02.005

LGBTQ-Affirmative Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care

Prim Care. 2021 Jun;48(2):243-257. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2021.02.005.

Authors

Dagoberto Heredia Jr¹, Tyson L Pankey², Cesar A Gonzalez³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: Heredia.Dagoberto@mayo.edu.
² Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
³ Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

PMID: 33985702
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2021.02.005

Abstract

Behavioral health concerns related to sexual and gender minority stress impair functioning and limit quality of life. With greater interest in implementing LGBTQ-affirmative health care practices, primary care providers likely will see larger numbers of LGBTQ individuals presenting with behavioral health concerns. Behavioral health and medical providers may not feel prepared to address the biological, psychological, social, and cultural minority stress factors that have an impact on LGBTQ patients. LGBTQ-affirmative behavioral health providers in primary care can offer a unique service by conducting tailored evaluations and individualized interventions targeting multifactorial influences that cause and perpetuate psychological distress in LGBTQ patients.

Keywords: Integrated behavioral health; LGBTQ-affirming psychotherapy; Primary care.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Health Personnel
Health Services
Humans
Primary Health Care
Quality of Life*
Sexual and Gender Minorities*