Beyond Acceptance: Utilizing Empathy to Diagnose and Treat Internalized Homophobia in LGBTQ+ Clients
Eli Sharon
School of Government & Society, Family Studies, The Academic College Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Israel
Faculty of Health Professions, Ono Academic College, Israel
This article asserts that effective therapy with LGBTQ+ clients should evolve beyond basic "gay friendly" practices to require deeper clinical engagement. It argues that therapists can actively cultivate precise empathy, which is predicated on a more detailed familiarity with the client's unique experiences, particularly those shaped by internalized homophobia. This skillful approach involves refining a therapist's cognitive complexity and utilizing relevant diagnostic tools to accurately diagnose and treat the often-subtle, debilitating impact of minority stress. Ultimately, this targeted, empathetic strategy is vital for establishing and strengthening the therapeutic alliance.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/3.1357 View / Download PdfMini-Review: A Superior Treatment for Clozapine-induced Sialorrhea
Ai-Li W. Arias1,2,3,5*, Michael A. Cummings1,2,3,5, George J. Proctor1,3,4,5
1Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
2Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Neuropsychiatric Center, Orange, CA, USA
3Psychopharmacology Resource Network, Clinical Operations Division, California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), Sacramento, CA, USA
4Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
5Department of State Hospitals - Patton, Patton, CA, USA
Clozapine is the only antipsychotic with demonstrated efficacy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and mania, and aggression, suicide, or psychogenic polydipsia related to schizophrenia. Sialorrhea, a common adverse effect, is frequently a barrier to clozapine treatment. Anticholinergic agents have limited efficacy and increase risk for constipation, bowel impaction, or ileus. Interval injection of select salivary glands with botulinum neurotoxin (BT) has proven to be a superior alternative treatment for clozapine-induced sialorrhea (CIS). This mini-review describes the viability and logistics for establishing a successful botulinum treatment clinic, including adequate staff, training, educating treatment providers about the availability and effectiveness of botulinum treatment for sialorrhea, and development of a clinic protocol (e.g., procedural elements and relevant rating scales). Finally, botulinum treatment was determined to be cost-effective. Evidence for botulinum treatment of CIS includes Level I data.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/3.1356 View / Download PdfStress experiences among older Chinese immigrants in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Ziyu Su1, Lixia Yang1*, Haoran Dong1, Xindi Wang1, Lu Wang2, Minhui Yang3, Sepali Guruge4
1Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
2Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
3Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
4Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
This study investigates the stress experiences and coping strategies among older Chinese immigrants in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through focus group interviews and analyzed using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC). The results showed that participants (N=25; 14 female, 11 male; age 65 and above) faced three main sources of stress during the pandemic: personal life disruption (e.g., hindered family reunions and financial pressure), emotional distress (e.g., fear, uncertainty, and distress), and structural obstacles (e.g., travel restrictions and anti-Chinese discrimination). In addition, participants reported generally three types of coping styles: cognitive coping (e.g., maintaining a positive mindset and redefining risks), behavioural coping (e.g., adhering to the pandemic prevention regulations and maintaining daily activities), and social coping (e.g., participating in online social activities and establishing mutual assistance networks). The results call for culturally sensitive policies and measures in future public health crises to address the specific stressors and coping resources of older immigrants.
DOI: 10.29245/2578-2959/2025/1.1354 View / Download Pdf