Clinical Round Table 2 - Adaptations of CBT/EBT for Young Populations Impacted by Recent Federal Policy Actions

On January 20, 2025, a series of executive orders were released that had direct repercussions for the psychological well-being of marginalized populations, such as immigrant, LGBTQ, and low-income populations (NIJC, 2025). Threats of mass deportations and abolishing protections for sensitive locations (allowing immigration enforcement in clinics and hospitals) has created fear among immigrant populations accessing healthcare and exacerbated bullying and anti-immigrant public sentiment. Preventing hospitals and providers who accept Medicaid or receive federal funding for research or education from providing gender-affirming care for youth under 19 decreases access to critical medical care for transgender and gender-diverse; while terminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs has created threatening environments for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. Planned drastic cuts to Medicaid will have sweeping effects on access to care for millions of low-income children and families, many of whom come from structurally minoritized backgrounds (e.g., BIPOC). The ethical dissemination and delivery of science-based interventions in clinical and community settings couched within this hostile sociopolitical context requires a broader scope of focus that centers contextual and cultural factors and pulls from the field of public health. This clinical roundtable will feature national experts in the fields of immigrant mental health, gender-affirming care, and equitable care for under-resourced populations. Panelists will be asked to comment on the strength of the evidence base using science-based and affirmative therapies with these populations as well as structural and cultural factors that impede their reach and generalizability for populations impacted by recent federal policies. Discussion will also highlight ways that the practice of CBT/EBT be adapted to reduce threats to psychological well-being due to structural determinants and how institutions can mitigate the stressful impact of uncertainty on providers and families. In sum, this clinical roundtable will provide timely contextual insights and actionable information for clinicians serving structurally marginalized populations affected by recent federal policy changes.