Publications

The AFFIRM process is supported by a wealth of research. We’re grateful for the contributions of our participants, current and past, for supporting AFFIRM’s ongoing research initiative.


Craig, S.L., Eaton, A.D., Leung, V.W.Y. et al. Efficacy of affirmative cognitive behavioural group therapy for sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults in community settings in Ontario, Canada. BMC Psychol 9, 94 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00595-6

Austin, A., Craig, S., Matarese, M., Greeno, E., Weeks, A. and Betsinger, S., 2021. Preliminary effectiveness of an LGBTQ+ affirmative parenting intervention with foster parents. Children and Youth Services Review, 127, p.106107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106107

Craig, S. L., Leung, V. W. Y., Pascoe, R., Pang, N., Iacono, G., Austin, A., & Dillon, F. (2021). AFFIRM Online: Utilising an Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioural Digital Intervention to Improve Mental Health, Access, and Engagement among LGBTQA+ Youth and Young Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041541

Iacono, G., Craig, S. L., & Pascoe, R. (2021). Critical reflections and reflexivity on responding to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in a global pandemic. Qualitative Social Work, 20(1–2), 479–486. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325020981080

Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., Pascoe, R., & Austin, A. (2021). Adapting Clinical Skills to Telehealth: Applications of Affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with LGBTQ+ Youth. Clinical Social Work Journal. Published. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00796-x

Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., Austin, A., Eaton, A. D., Pang, N., Leung, V. W. Y., & Frey, C. J. (2020). The role of facilitator training in intervention delivery: Preparing clinicians to deliver AFFIRMative group cognitive behavioral therapy to sexual and gender minority youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 33(1), 56–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2020.1836704

Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., & Pascoe, R. (2020). The Delivery of Technology-Mediated Affirmative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Groups to LGBTQ+ Youth During a Pandemic: A Practice Innovation. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 39(3), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2020-020

Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., Austin, A., Eaton, A. D., Pang, N., Leung, V. W. Y., & Frey, C. J. (2020). The role of facilitator training in intervention delivery: Preparing clinicians to deliver AFFIRMative group cognitive behavioral therapy to sexual and gender minority youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 33(1), 56–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2020.1836704

Craig, S. L., Yang, W., & Austin, A. (2020). Promoting the Sexual Self-efficacy of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth through a Group Intervention. Groupwork, 29(2), 35-57. https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v29i2.1213

Craig, S. L., Austin, A., & Alessi, E. J. (2019). Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Mental Health. Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities, 25–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190669300.003.0002

Austin, A., & Craig, S. L. (2019). Transgender Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy. Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities, 74–96. https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190669300.003.0004

Craig, S. L., McInroy, L. B., Eaton, A. D., Iacono, G., Leung, V. W., Austin, A., & Dobinson, C. (2019). An Affirmative Coping Skills Intervention to Improve the Mental and Sexual Health of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (Project Youth AFFIRM): Protocol for an Implementation Study. JMIR Research Protocols, 8(6), e13462. https://doi.org/10.2196/13462

Austin, A., Craig, S. L., & Alessi, E. J. (2017). Affirmative Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Adults. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(1), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2016.10.003

Craig, S. L., Austin, A., & Huang, Y. T. (2017). Being humorous and seeking diversion: Promoting healthy coping skills among LGBTQ+ youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 22(1), 20–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2017.1385559

Craig, S. L., & Austin, A. (2016). The AFFIRM open pilot feasibility study: A brief affirmative cognitive behavioral coping skills group intervention for sexual and gender minority youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 64, 136–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.02.022

Austin, A., & Craig, S. L. (2015). Transgender affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy: Clinical considerations and applications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 46(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038642

Austin, A., & Craig, S. L. (2015). Empirically Supported Interventions for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, 12(6), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1080/15433714.2014.884958

Craig, S. L., Austin, A., & Alessi, E. (2012). Gay Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Minority Youth: A Clinical Adaptation. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3), 258–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-012-0427-9