The Rainbow training approach is largely informed by the model of Gay-Affirmative Practice and the growing body of work supporting its efficacy (McGeorge & Stone Carlson, 2011; Bieschke, Perez et al., 2007; Lebolt, 1999). In order to reflect the inclusive nature of the Rainbow Program, we have adopted the term ‘LGBTIQ-Affirmative Practice’.

Central to LGBTIQ-Affirmative Practice is an emphasis on an exploration of practitioners’ understandings of their own sexual orientation development as well as their understanding of the heteronormative assumptions they were conditioned by and the heterosexual privilege they experience (if heterosexual) in daily life.

Whilst it is acknowledged that there does not currently exist in the literature a cohesive therapeutic model that can be called ‘Gay-Affirmative Therapy’ (Johnson, S.D, 2012), there is general consensus about the core elements of a gay-affirmative approach to psychotherapy, (Kort, 2008; Lebolt, J, 1999), which can be comprised as the following:

  • Cultural knowledge pertaining to the lives and collective experiences of LGBTI individuals, couples and families
  • An awareness of our own sexuality development and heteronormative conditioning and the experience of heterosexual privilege
  • A stance of proactive advocacy, which helps LGBTI clients to recognise the systemic impacts of heterosexism and homophobia on their lives and relationships

You can read more about the Rainbow Training in our Introduction to Rainbow Training document.