Affirmative Psychotherapy for Sexual Minority Women's Mental and Behavioral Health
Launched by YALE UNIVERSITY · Aug 17, 2022
Trial Information
Current as of July 24, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying a special kind of therapy called LGBTQ-affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is delivered online. The goal is to see if this therapy can help sexual minority women—those who identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, or other non-heterosexual identities—reduce heavy drinking and improve mental health symptoms like depression. Participants will attend 10 therapy sessions and will be compared to a group receiving standard LGBTQ-affirmative treatment to see which is more effective.
To join the study, women must be fluent in English, live in New York or New Jersey, and identify as part of the LGBTQ community. They should be drinking heavily (defined as an average of 8 drinks per week or having at least 2 heavy drinking days in the past month) and currently experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Participants will need to show some motivation to cut down on their drinking. If you or someone you know is interested, it’s important to note that individuals currently receiving certain types of mental health treatment or with severe mental health issues may not be eligible. Participants can expect supportive, affirming therapy in a safe, online environment.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. be 18 years of age or older
- • 2. be fluent in English
- • 3. self-identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or other non-heterosexual identity
- • 3) report at ≥ 8 standard drinks/week, on average, in the past 30 days, OR report at least 2 heavy drinking days ( ≥ 4 drinks in one day) in the past 30 days 4) currently experience a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 depression or anxiety disorder (screened initially using a cutoff of ≥ 2 on the Brief Symptom Inventory-4 and further confirmed by diagnostic interview via the DIAMOND) 5) report at least minimum motivation to reduce drinking (measured by the Readiness Ruler) 6) live in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and planning to stay for at least the next 4 months
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 1. report current mental health treatment ≥1 day/mo
- • 2. report having received any CBT in the past 3 months
- • 3. report current alcohol or drug abuse treatment, except mutual self-help (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous)
- • 4. need alcohol detoxification indicated by ≥9 on Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar)
- • 5. exhibit active psychosis or active mania, as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID) Psych Screen
- • 6. exhibit active suicidality or active homicidality, as assessed by the SCID-Psych Screen
- • 7. be currently legally mandated to attend treatment
- • 8. demonstrate gross cognitive impairment, as assessed with the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status
About Yale University
Yale University, a prestigious Ivy League institution located in New Haven, Connecticut, is renowned for its commitment to advancing medical research and clinical innovation. With a rich history of academic excellence and a robust infrastructure for scientific inquiry, Yale serves as a leading sponsor for clinical trials aimed at improving patient care and developing new therapeutic approaches. The university's multidisciplinary teams of researchers and clinicians collaborate to conduct rigorous and ethical studies, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to address critical health challenges. Through its dedication to fostering an environment of inquiry and discovery, Yale University plays a pivotal role in translating research findings into clinical practice, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for diverse populations.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
New York, New York, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
John E Pachankis, PhD
Principal Investigator
Yale University
Tonda Hughes, PhD
Principal Investigator
Columbia University
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported
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