Recovery Through Inhibitory Learning, Self-Efficacy Building, Problem Solving, and Community Building

This study will test a remotely delivered intervention combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Expressive Writing (EW) to address unhealthy alcohol use and traumatic stress among sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual women) and transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. The intervention, called Recovery through Inhibitory Learning, Self-Efficacy Building, Problem-Solving, and Community Building (RISE), integrates CBT modules on assertiveness, problem-solving in high-risk situations, and building social connections with a brief EW program tailored to SMW and TGD participants. Four modules from the Unified Protocol (UP), a transdiagnostic CBT approach, will be adapted: (1) psychoeducation, goal setting, and motivational enhancement; (2) mindful emotional awareness; (3) cognitive flexibility; and (4) countering emotion-driven behaviors.

Participants assigned to the wait-list will not receive active treatment during the study period but will be offered the RISE intervention afterward.