AFFIRMATIVE RESEARCH LLC
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA

AFFIRMATIVE RESEARCH LLC (ARC) is a Florida-based organization dedicated to enhancing the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults through its integrated affirmative research and practice framework. Founded in August 2017 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida, ARC works closely with educators, healthcare providers, social workers, and policymakers to develop and disseminate programs grounded in empirical evidence aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. ARC focuses on creating and delivering innovative affirmative prevention and intervention initiatives to reduce risks while promoting resilience among LGBTQ+ youth. These efforts include individualized training and consultation services designed to foster supportive care environments. The organization also offers mentoring and coaching for emerging researchers dedicated to advancing the well-being of these communities. Dr. Craig, co-founder and a vital figure at ARC, brings over two decades of extensive experience in community-based leadership, research, and practice with sexual and gender minority groups. Her work includes developing successful initiatives like AFFIRM, a cognitive-behavioral group intervention that has shown positive impacts on the mental and sexual health of LGBTQ+ youth. Moreover, Dr. Austin collaborates with ARC to focus on transgender-affirmative research and interventions, contributing significantly through her development of the Transgender-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TA-CBT) model—a pioneering approach aligning affirmative practices with cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. This work enhances healthcare delivery for transgender individuals by addressing their unique mental health needs. In addition to their academic and research contributions, both Drs. Craig and Austin actively engage in advocacy promoting an inclusive environment for diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions across various societal sectors. With its mission rooted deeply in social justice, ARC continues to bridge the gap between research and practice, driving significant advancements in affirmative support and mental health care for LGBTQ+ populations.