Affirmative therapy is grounded in the foundational principles of acceptance and understanding. At its core, this therapeutic approach acknowledges the significant impact of unconscious bias, a factor that many mental health professionals may unintentionally carry due to personal and historical factors. Affirmative therapy places a strong emphasis on addressing both the therapist’s and the individual’s experiences with systemic bias, which often perpetuates the heteronormative model of living as the standard. This bias can affect individuals with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or asexual identities.

Affirmative therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore various aspects of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It delves into the profound effects of shame, discrimination, misunderstanding, and judgment on one’s internal concept of self. The therapist’s role is to guide and assist individuals in navigating these complex and often emotionally charged issues with empathy and without judgment. The core of affirmative therapy lies in fostering a deeper self-acceptance and self-understanding, transcending societal norms and expectations.