Date of Conferral
3-12-2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Social Work
Advisor
Alfred Perez
Abstract
Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience disproportionately high rates of substance use disorders linked to trauma exposure, minority stress, and barriers to affirming behavioral health care. Although trauma-informed approaches have expanded, little is known about how SGM individuals experience and make meaning of their engagement in internal family systems (IFS) therapy for trauma and addiction. Guided by Schwartz’s theory of the multiplicity of the mind and minority stress theory, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how SGM individuals describe and interpret their engagement in IFS therapy within the context of trauma and addiction. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to examine semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample of 10 SGM participants who had engaged in IFS therapy. Interviews were conducted via secure videoconferencing, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed through iterative coding to identify themes. Findings indicated that participants experienced IFS as promoting identity integration, increasing access to self-energy, and fostering compassionate engagement with parts associated with shame and addictive coping. Participants also described ongoing systemic barriers to affirming addiction treatment, highlighting the interaction between internal healing and external stressors. These findings have implications for clinician training, trauma-informed and identity-affirming practice, and policies that expand equitable access to addiction treatment for SGM communities, thereby supporting positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Saunders, Walter, "Internal Family Systems Therapy for Trauma Recovery and Addiction in Sexual and Gender Minorities" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 19716.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/19716
