What is it about?
Asexual people face stigma and misunderstandings in healthcare. This article guides mental health providers on affirming care, avoiding pathologizing, and supporting identity exploration, ensuring asexual patients receive inclusive, competent treatment.
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Why is it important?
Awareness of asexuality is growing, yet many healthcare providers still lack the cultural competence needed to support this population. Asexual individuals often face stigma, discrimination, and pathologizing in healthcare settings, which can deter them from seeking necessary services. As more people, especially younger generations, openly identify as asexual, the demand for inclusive and competent care is increasing. Providing mental health professionals with the tools to affirm asexual identities and address minority stress is essential to closing health disparity gaps, improving care experiences, and ensuring ethical, person-centered practices in therapy.
Perspectives
As a mental health professional specializing in LGBTQIA+ affirmative care, I see firsthand how essential it is to provide inclusive, affirming care to underserved populations like asexual individuals. This article offers critical, timely guidance that challenges common misconceptions and biases in clinical settings. By embracing these recommendations, we can create safer, more supportive therapeutic environments for asexual clients, ensuring their identities are respected and their unique needs addressed.
Dr. Jared William Boot-Haury
Palo Alto University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Asexual-Affirming Care: Recommendations for Practice, Journal of Health Service Psychology, September 2024, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s42843-024-00115-1.
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