Author Name: – Rujuta Dhananjay Deshmankar and Dr. Mridula Apte / Date:- December 2023
Abstract
A prominent gap between addressing mental health needs and mental illness and help-seeking behavior in the context of gender and sexual orientation is nationally and globally observed. There are evident risks of mental health issues associated with discrimination, socio-cultural factors, and inadequate or stigmatized services available based on their identity, resulting in challenges to seek help. However the therapists also face unique sociocultural challenges in the treatment process with community members. The objective is to illustrate the 2 case presentations of the clients having either sexual orientation or gender identity related issues along with psychiatric diagnoses as reported. The research aims to understand the qualitative impacts of sociocultural factors and psychopathological morbidity on psychotherapeutic process. The case series present sample of 2 cases who are ranging from 20-30 years, assigned sex at birth male, reported gender fluidity and homosexuality, respectively along with socio-cultural-psychopathological factors. The intervention was eclectic psychotherapeutic interventions such as a combination of psycho education, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, relaxation and Mindfulness techniques distress tolerance skills, and Client-centered approach. With the help of these two case presentations, authors try to highlight the interaction of sociocultural factors and psychopathology acting as a challenge during the psychotherapy process in the context with specific challenges faced by the clients and therapists.
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