What is it about?
This study looked at a new therapy group designed specifically for LGBTQ+ veterans who struggle with intense emotions, trauma, and stress. The group used dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which teaches practical skills like managing strong feelings, improving relationships, and coping with stress in healthier ways. What makes this program unique is that it was a Graduate Group for those who completed an affirmative DBT skills group that was adapted to be affirming of LGBTQ+ identities. That means the therapy not only focused on mental health skills, but also openly addressed the impact of stigma, discrimination, and minority stress that LGBTQ+ people often face. The results showed that LGBTQ+ veterans benefited from this supportive group environment. They learned coping skills, felt validated in their identities, and experienced improvements in their mental health. In short, this research highlights the importance of creating mental health programs that are both evidence-based and inclusive. By tailoring therapy to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ+ communities, we can provide more effective and affirming care.
Featured Image
Photo by Mercedes Mehling on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study is one of the first to study an adapted version of a DBT Graduate Group for LGBTQ+ veterans, a population that faces both the stressors associated with military service and the added stress of stigma and discrimination related to sexual and gender identity. What makes this work unique is the intentional integration of LGBTQ+-affirming content into a DBT Graduate Group. Rather than applying a “one-size-fits-all” model, the group explicitly addressed minority stress, identity validation, and systemic barriers to care, creating a safer and more relevant therapeutic environment. The work is also timely. As awareness grows about the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ veterans who are at elevated risk for depression, PTSD, and suicidality, there is an urgent need for interventions that are both clinically rigorous and culturally responsive. This program responds directly to that gap by showing how an established therapy can be thoughtfully adapted to improve outcomes for marginalized populations. In doing so, it provides a model for health systems and clinicians, demonstrating that effective mental health care must be both evidence-based and identity-affirming to meet the needs of diverse communities.
Perspectives
This publication represents more than just a research project; it reflects a personal and professional commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ veterans receive care that honors both their lived experiences and their resilience. As a psychologist, I have seen firsthand how standard treatments, while effective, often fall short when they don’t acknowledge the unique challenges of marginalized communities. LGBTQ+ veterans carry the weight of both service-related trauma and the ongoing stress of discrimination, and they deserve interventions that recognize those realities. Delivering an affirmative DBT Graduate Group was a way of bridging that gap, offering tools for coping while also creating a space where identity was not only accepted but also celebrated. What makes this work especially meaningful to me is its potential ripple effect. It shows that established, evidence-based therapies can be adapted thoughtfully and respectfully to meet the needs of populations who are too often overlooked. I’m proud that this study not only demonstrates feasibility but also sets the stage for larger systemic changes in how we approach mental health care for LGBTQ+ people in the VA and beyond. For me, this is not just about publishing findings, it’s about contributing to a movement that insists that high-quality, affirming, and inclusive care should be the standard for every patient.
Dr. Jared William Boot-Haury
Kaiser Permanente
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Affirmative Dialectical Behavior Therapy Graduate Group With LGBTQ+ Veterans, Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, July 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2025.07.002.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
