1.4 Application of the treatment to Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Clients
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are at higher risk for exposure to trauma events compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender counterparts (Roberts et al., 2010). This is, in part, the result of experiencing trauma earlier in life and experiencing traumas generated by SGM status (e.g., physical assaults) (Roberts et al, 2010). SGM status is associated with minority stress (anticipated discrimination and victimization, internalized stigma, and concealment of stigmatized identity) which is often derive from experiences of discrimination (e.g., denial of equal employment and healthcare) and micro-aggressions (e.g., insults, assumed pathology) (Livingston, 2019; Meyer, 2003). Minority stress has been identified as contributing to adverse mental health effects including DSM-5 PTSD (Solomon et al., 2021) and higher rates of Complex PTSD than other trauma-exposed populations (see Charak et al., in press).
SNT may be a particularly relevant trauma-focused treatment for SGM clients as it addresses traumatic events that have occurred in the past and also supports the individual in managing ongoing minority stress, discrimination and micro-aggressions.