In The PRISMAS Group Therapy Handbook, Bruno Luiz Avelino Cardoso and Ana Clasa Gomes Braga present and describe how to apply the PRISMAS Group Therapy.

PRISMAS is a new therapeutic intervention that builds upon the concepts of Schema Therapy and combines it with Affirmative Therapy to create a brief group intervention aimed at helping Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM) cope with the stress and internalized prejudice they have developed through living in societies that stigmatize and attack.  

In tackling this sensitive and important topic, this book is a significant and timely addition to the literature. It also supports the aim of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 3, which strives to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages, both physically and mentally. Regardless of gender or sexuality, everyone should have access to the health care resources and support they need.

Across its 14 chapters, the handbook provides a step-by-step breakdown of the 12 therapeutic sessions in which the intervention is organized and deftly guides practitioners in how to conduct it.

Part 1 "Initial Sessions: Understanding Schema Therapy and My Internal Way of Functioning" guides the practitioner on how to support patients to look at themselves, their history, how they function, their different sides, their strengths and how these can be impacted by society. Whilst Part 2 "Intermediate Sessions: Changing My Way of Thinking, Acting, and Feeling Through the Integration of Schema Therapy and Affirmative Therapy" delves into ways of coping with one's inner critic, understanding emotions, allowing yourself to feel and taking time to reflect on who you want to be.

Finally, Part 3 "Final Sessions: Consolidating and Strengthening My Affirmative Healthy Adult and Having Fun with My Happy Child" provides the tools for practitioners to support their patients to build on their strengths to be confident and comfortable in the person they are and allowing themselves to be happy through expressing creativity and having fun.

The PRISMAS Group Therapy Handbook is an invaluable resource for psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals working with Sexual and Gender Minorities. As Wendy Behary (former President of The International Society of Schema Therapy) states in the forward of the book, this is "pioneering work" providing vital support for SGM. "In today’s world, where diversity and inclusion are more important than ever, the need for effective, tailored therapeutic interventions cannot be overstated."