Healing Through Authentic Connection: Utilizing Relational Cultural Therapy With Black Gay Men

Abstract

Black Gay Men (BGM) contend with multilayered stigma deriving from racism and homophobia within society. Experiences of stigma may diminish the well-being of BGM. Social support, resilience, and strength-focused interventions have been noted as potential buffers against the effects of stigmatization. Relational Cultural Therapy (RCT) is an optimal therapeutic model to address the numerous challenges that BGM face in their lived experience through authenticity and empathy while fostering relational resilience. This article presents a hypothetical case vignette to illustrate RCT’s applicability while working with BGM.

Keywords:

• Black Gay Men
• internalized homophobia
• internalized racism
• stigma
• relational cultural therapy