This workshop examines recent trends among youth in adopting and navigating emerging sexual identities, providing a clinically informed framework for psychologists and licensed mental health professionals working in this area. The session will explore three taxonomies: (1) Residual, often tied to traditional religious views or older psychiatric conceptualizations; (2) Dominant, encompassing established identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary; and (3) Emergent, which includes micro-minoritized identities such as asexual demigirl or greysexual demiboy. Discussion will center on how these trends reflect the “looping effect” of language and categorization on identity development and will engage with elements of queer theory to better understand these shifts. Additionally, faith-based considerations for counseling Christian youth and their families will be addressed, with an emphasis on integrating faith and evidence-based best practices when working with clients navigating emerging sexual identities.
306 | Emerging Sexual Identities Among Youth
PRESENTERS
Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D.
CE CREDITS
1.25
Approved For CE
APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, AOA Category 2A Credits, Georgia Nurses Association, AAFP , Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Approved For CME/CEU
LEVEL
Intermediate
Summary
Learning Objectives
1 Describe three explanatory frameworks for understanding sexual identity, orientation, and emerging sexual identities.
2 Identify and differentiate between three historical taxonomies for conceptualizing sexual identities.
3 Develop strategies for working with families in which youth experience questions around emerging sexual identities, with special consideration given to faith-based clients.