Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India
Abstract Background: There are few published research studies documenting intervention modalities used with LGBTQIA+ individuals in India. This is a pilot study documenting possibly the first of its kind therapy group named SAAHAS based in Mumbai. Methodology: SAAHAS was a free, open group for thera...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Psychosexual Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2631831819862414 |
| _version_ | 1818717796248322048 |
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| author | Jagruti Wandrekar Advaita Nigudkar |
| author_facet | Jagruti Wandrekar Advaita Nigudkar |
| author_sort | Jagruti Wandrekar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background: There are few published research studies documenting intervention modalities used with LGBTQIA+ individuals in India. This is a pilot study documenting possibly the first of its kind therapy group named SAAHAS based in Mumbai. Methodology: SAAHAS was a free, open group for therapy meant for queer individuals. The therapeutic approach used was queer affirmative cognitive behavior therapy. Facilitators were queer psychologists. A survey was conducted to assess the needs of potential participants. Recruitment protocol, group, and session formats and structures are described here. Evaluation was primarily through anonymous participant feedback. Results: A total of 71 participants completed the intake survey, 28 participants attended at least one group session, and 78% of these were cis-gay men, with low representation of lesbian, bisexual women and transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Over one year, 12 monthly sessions were conducted. Feedback suggested that the participants liked the group, found it to be a safe space, and reported an improvement in mental health, reduction of distress, reduction of feelings of isolation, and acquisition of knowledge and skills to tackle problems faced by queer people. Peer support, safe space, expert-cum-peer facilitator stance, and queer affirmative cognitive behavior therapy-based therapeutic approach may have contributed to group efficacy. Conclusion: The SAAHAS therapy group experience provides a useful low-cost therapeutic framework for queer individuals in India. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T19:40:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e0f649c8e34c4455881300d5e7c2664f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2631-8318 2631-8326 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T19:40:51Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Psychosexual Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e0f649c8e34c4455881300d5e7c2664f2022-12-21T21:35:01ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Psychosexual Health2631-83182631-83262019-04-01110.1177/2631831819862414Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, IndiaJagruti Wandrekar0Advaita Nigudkar1 Institute for Psychological Health, Thane, Maharashtra, India Institute for Psychological Health, Thane, Maharashtra, IndiaAbstract Background: There are few published research studies documenting intervention modalities used with LGBTQIA+ individuals in India. This is a pilot study documenting possibly the first of its kind therapy group named SAAHAS based in Mumbai. Methodology: SAAHAS was a free, open group for therapy meant for queer individuals. The therapeutic approach used was queer affirmative cognitive behavior therapy. Facilitators were queer psychologists. A survey was conducted to assess the needs of potential participants. Recruitment protocol, group, and session formats and structures are described here. Evaluation was primarily through anonymous participant feedback. Results: A total of 71 participants completed the intake survey, 28 participants attended at least one group session, and 78% of these were cis-gay men, with low representation of lesbian, bisexual women and transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Over one year, 12 monthly sessions were conducted. Feedback suggested that the participants liked the group, found it to be a safe space, and reported an improvement in mental health, reduction of distress, reduction of feelings of isolation, and acquisition of knowledge and skills to tackle problems faced by queer people. Peer support, safe space, expert-cum-peer facilitator stance, and queer affirmative cognitive behavior therapy-based therapeutic approach may have contributed to group efficacy. Conclusion: The SAAHAS therapy group experience provides a useful low-cost therapeutic framework for queer individuals in India.https://doi.org/10.1177/2631831819862414 |
| spellingShingle | Jagruti Wandrekar Advaita Nigudkar Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India Journal of Psychosexual Health |
| title | Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India |
| title_full | Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India |
| title_fullStr | Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India |
| title_short | Learnings From SAAHAS—A Queer Affirmative CBT-Based Group Therapy Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Mumbai, India |
| title_sort | learnings from saahas a queer affirmative cbt based group therapy intervention for lgbtqia individuals in mumbai india |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2631831819862414 |
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