The gender and sexual minority (GSM) population is a diverse group that can be defined as a subculture. It includes homosexual men, lesbian women, bisexual persons, transgender individuals, and those questioning their sexual identity, among others.

There is a growing recognition of the importance of the spiritual domain in the counseling process and the need for training materials and strategies for integrating the Association of Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) competencies into the field of counsel

The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern as some cite that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, professionals' attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions.

Due in part to changes of the traditional way of life that Alaska Natives practiced for thousands of years before Europeans settled in Alaska, Alaska Natives have several unique health and mental health challenges.