Abstract
Purpose: Since COVID-19, many services have burgeoned within the UK, but what about sexual minorities?
Since the last review, there are appropriate therapies, but there is often inadequate research. I set out to
study the research evidence available.
Design: A mixed-method review synthesis, 3 studies looking into the efficacy of psychological therapies for
sexual minorities and 4 studies addressing the experiences of sexual minorities partaking in psychological
therapies were identified.
Findings: These included 3 quantitative and 4 qualitative studies. The minority stress hypothesis is used to
formulate problems, but challenges remain to confidentiality and privacy in this context. Therapists still
operate within the heteronormative framework, discounting intersectionality in therapy conversations.
Research limitations: Most studies have had low retention rates since 2021. It shows that minority stress
needs to be accounted for at the ethics committee and research delivery levels.
Practical implications: Applying a heteronormative framework to sexual minorities is not working. An
alternative Progress World View is needed.
Social implications: Healthcare clinicians strive for equitable care. Unfortunately, using an equitable health
service scale adapted from Levesque et al., (2013), the rating is 3 out of 6. More work is needed to improve
services.
Originality/value: Some services are reporting much improvement post-pandemic. Sadly, this is not the
case for sexual minorities. Individual and systemic barriers remain.