AFFIRM Youth Earns Recognition as the First LGBTQ+ Intervention in the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse
We're excited to share a remarkable achievement for AFFIRM Youth, the only evidence-based affirmative CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) intervention for LGBTQ+ youth. AFFIRM Youth has reached a significant milestone as the sole intervention program for LGBTQ+ youth to receive recognition from the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC).
The CEBC, known for its rigorous evaluation process, is a trusted source for evidence-based practices in child welfare. Their assessment underscores AFFIRM Youth's commitment to LGBTQ+ youth's well-being and empowerment. This recognition solidifies AFFIRM Youth as an evidence-based intervention program.
Drawing on years of working with LGBTQ+ youth, AFFIRM Youth was first developed in partnership with community in 2011 with a series of qualitative studies followed by an open pilot feasibility in 2016. Dr. Shelley Craig, Canada Research Chair of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and Professor of Social Work at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Dr. Ashley Austin, Professor of Social Work at Barry University, conceptualized AFFIRM Youth to address the mental health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ youth. AFFIRM is a manualized skills training intervention delivered over eight sessions by trained clinicians. AFFIRM Youth’s strengths-based approach aims to develop identity cognition (e.g., self-awareness, risk assessment) and mood comprehension (i.e., understanding the links between thoughts and feelings) among LGBTQ+ youth while equipping them with tools and techniques they can implement to cope with everyday and minority stressors, such as societal homo/bi/transphobia. AFFIRM Youth has been shown to significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve hope and coping.
Commenting on the CEBC’s recognition of AFFIRM Youth, Professor Shelley Craig highlighted, "This is really a huge deal and something we have been working on since 2016! I want the AFFIRM team to know it was because of our great trial and everyone’s incredible work!”
- Professor Shelley Craig
A 12-Year Timeline of AFFIRM’s Growing Evidence Base and Robust Implementation Science
2011- AFFIRM Youth conceptualized and initial manual developed
2012- The first qualitative study of AFFIRM Youth is conducted to elicit LGBTQ+ Youth feedback (Miami, Florida)
2013- The first AFFIRM Youth journal article is published [link]
2016 – 30 LGBTQ+ youth report significant reductions in depression and appraising stress as a threat, and significant increases in reflective coping and appraising stress as a challenge after participating in the AFFIRM open pilot feasibility study [link]
2018 – Eight transgender youth report significant decreases in depression symptoms up to three months following completion of the AFFIRM intervention [link]
2019 – AFFIRM Youth’s scale-up implementation protocol is published [link]
2020 –SGMY report significantly increased protection sexual self-efficacy following completion of the AFFIRM Youth intervention [link]
2020 – The digital implementation of AFFIRM, AFFIRM Online, is adapted for online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, representing an important practice innovation [link]
2021 – 129 community-based practitioners demonstrate significantly increased competence in delivering AFFIRMative CBT after completing the 14-hour AFFIRM Facilitator Training [link]
2021 – AFFIRM Online is shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression while significantly improving appraisal of stress as a challenge and having the resources to
meet those challenges, as well as active coping, emotional support, instrumental support, and positive framing. [link]
2021 – 138 LGBTQ+ youth enrolled in AFFIRM delivered at 12 community-based organizations reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms and significantly increased dispositional hope; coping by emotional and instrumental support; positive framing; humour; planning; and reflective coping [link]
2021 – 103 foster parents enrolled in AFFIRM Caregiver training reported significant improvements in affirmative attitudes and behaviours towards LGBTQ+ youth and affirmative caregiving self-efficacy. [link]
2021 – Considerations and recommendations for delivering AFFIRMative CBT to LGBTQ+ youth via telehealth based on the delivery of AFFIRM Online are published [link]
2022 – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHASA) features AFFIRM in their evidence-based resource guide, Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations [link]
2023 – Analysis of 151 audio-recorded AFFIRM sessions indicates high levels of implementation fidelity and clinician adherence to the implementation manual. [link]
2023 – United States Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, discusses AFFIRM Youth as an affirmative clinical resource for LGBTQ+ youth at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pride Summit at the White House [link]
2023 – AFFIRM Youth becomes the only mental health intervention for LGBTQ+ youth to receive recognition from the CEBC for promising research evidence in treating depression and supporting LGBTQ+ youth [link]
Pictured: The U.S. press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, notes the benefits of the AFFIRM model for LGBTQ+ youth during the 2023 Annual Pride Summit.
Moving forward, AFFIRM Youth remains dedicated to creating a world where LGBTQ+ youth thrive with ample resources and guidance. This CEBC recognition reflects their commitment to making a positive impact. We extend heartfelt congratulations to AFFIRM Youth and their team. Together, we continue shaping a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth.
