Conceptualizing rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ through the IS-WEL wellness lens: implications for Clinical practice and advocacy

ABSTRACT

Rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ individuals experience discrimination and hardships due to cultural factors and multiple minority identities. A recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Appalachian states highlights the continued need to prepare counselors to support and advocate for rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ clients. As wellness is central to the counseling profession, this article explores current research and conceptualizes rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ individuals’ experiences through the Indivisible Self (IS-WEL) wellness lens and discusses implications for practice and advocacy.

KEYWORDS:

• Indivisible self (IS-WEL)
• LGBTQ+
• rural Appalachian
• wellness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).