• Sleep is an incredibly important contributor to maintaining physical and psychological health; positive body image may be difficult to achieve if you are sleep-deprived.

• Substance use – from drinking alcohol to vaping – may seem fairly common, but can be incredibly detrimental to your health. Being body positive includes treating your body well and not using substances.

• Our bodies change with age; this is completely normal even if it is sometimes very uncomfortable.

• Many of us will experience health concerns and even chronic health conditions as we age. This makes it extra important to take good care of our bodies and approach them with acceptance.

This chapter reviews the role of evidence-based practice (EBP) when providing clinical services to LGBTQ+ youth and adults. Evidence-based practice integrates three domains: the best available research evidence, clinical judgment, and patient characteristics, values, and contexts. Each of these domains is discussed in detail in the chapter. The chapter proceeds to review the adaptation of EBPs to be LGBTQ+ affirmative and cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as effective evidence-based interventions for mental and behavioral health concerns with LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, the chapter provides evidence-informed considerations for addressing self-acceptance, self-esteem, and career-related concerns in counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals. Evidence for group modalities with LGBTQ+ individuals is also provided. Lastly, the chapter provides a resource table outlining how to best integrate affirmative care and EBP when working with LGBTQ+ individuals, along with a clinical case study.

As discussed throughout the book, Black women experience racial trauma and discrimination and may internalize these messages and become highly self-critical. These experiences can lead to feelings of low self-worth, anxiety, and depression. In this chapter, we share the strategies of self-compassion, self-forgiveness, and self-love and acceptance to support Black women in emotional healing. We also discuss the use of the arts and religion and spirituality as resources for Black women’s healing and thriving.

This chapter discusses how self-esteem is currently defined across common CBT and REBT literature. It aims to establish if there is a clear consensus as to what constitutes low, healthy, and high self-esteem, and implications this may have on clinical practice. Definitions of self-esteem within the DSM-5 and ICD-10 are reviewed, as well as cognitive and affective models of self-esteem. Definitions of self-esteem differ widely both across CBT and REBT as well as within CBT and REBT. Definitions are inconsistent within the DSM-5 and ICD-10. Conflation of beliefs, emotions, and constructs of self-esteem occur across research and within CBT and REBT, but is less frequent in REBT. Inconsistencies are more prevalent within CBT literature, which may be problematic, as points of intervention may therefore differ depending on theoretical understanding and definition of constructs of self-esteem.

Unconditional positive regard by parents paves the way to unconditional self-regard, a felt sense that one is worthy and acceptable even when making mistakes, experiencing failure, or behaving in less than desirable ways. People with high self-esteem perceive themselves favorably. They generally like themselves and believe they are competent and capable of handling life’s challenges. Conversely, those with low self-esteem regard themselves as incapable, unlikable, or even unworthy. Low self-esteem is related to depression and a number of psychosomatic ailments such as loss of appetite, insomnia, nervousness, and headaches. On the whole, people with low self-esteem do not feel valued by themselves or by others and doubt their ability to add value. Self-acceptance and self-esteem are thus critical for mattering. Self-esteem has important implications for a host of life domains. Those high in self-esteem experience more positive emotions and are significantly happier than those with low self-esteem. In fact, high self-esteem is considered one of the most dominant predictors of happiness.