Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy Olivier Cormier-Otaño and Dominic Davies Overview and Key Points Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) therapy is at the forefront of current thinking on working with the more traditionally known LGBT(IQ) (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/sexual, intersex, questioning). GSRD also encompasses a wider range of gender and sexual minority identities including, but not restricted to, asexuals, celibates, people who either engage in Kink/BDSM (bondage, dominance, discipline, submission, sadism and masochism) practices or as a lifestyle - irrespective of sexual orientation (Langdridge and Barker 2007),- as well as people who may identify anywhere across the gender spectrum and not simply intersex or transsexual (including non-binary or agender identities for instance). GSRD is also opening up the debate on different possibilities in relationship styles such as the many forms of consensual non-monogamy,(Barker and Langdridge 2010),, and thus challenging patriarchal and heteronormative views of intimate relationships. Core theoretical concepts of this approach that are discussed in this chapter include: • Minority Stress accounts for the elevated levels of mental health problems amongst lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and gender variant people. • The high frequency of microaggressions contribute to an unconscious understanding that the microaggressed identity is unacceptable • Hypervigilance against pathologisation, discrimination and criminalisation • Shame is compounded by the oppressive power of the heteronormative and bi-, homo- and transphobic, patriarchal society and communities • Understanding intersectionality is essential to comprehending and working with the multiple identities of GSRD clients Background and Context Page 1 This is a pre-publication chapter for the Sage Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy (in press). © Authors and Sage Publishers