Israel, T., Gorcheva, R., Walther, W.A., Sulzner, J.M., & Cohen, J. (2008). Therapists’ Helpful and Unhelpful Situations With LGBT Clients: An Exploratory Study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 39(3), 361-368.
Summary
According to the researchers, individuals who are gay and lesbian often seek therapy, and investigating the procedures conducted by licensed counselors and psychologists working with these individuals is crucial in discovering the most beneficial therapeutic techniques. People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered also have very high rates of suicidal behavior and depression, which places a demand on licensed counselors to gain more expertise in working with LGBT persons. The current study focuses on not only gay and lesbians, but also bisexual and transgendered clients, which is not often seen in past research. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns in unhelpful and helpful situations for LGBT clients as described by the therapists. Furthermore, the researchers looked to identify exactly what caused the situations to become helpful vs. unhelpful.
The researchers conducted phone interviews with therapists across the United States who had worked with LGBT clients. Prior to this study, the researchers performed a content analysis of phone interviews with LGBT therapy clients. The participants consisted of 14 therapists, out of whom seven identified themselves as being heterosexual, three as gay, two as bisexual, one as queer, and the final participant did not respond to this question. The mean interview length with the participants was 49 minutes, and the interviews had a predetermined set of questions. The participants were asked questions regarding aspects of therapeutic relationships, counseling experience, consequences of the situation, etc. The researchers found that in helpful situations the therapist tends to be knowledgeable, helpful, and appropriate or affirming of the client’s sexual orientation. In helpful situations the therapist should display a positive attitude toward LGBT issues, even if that is not the reason why the client is seeking therapy. The researchers also found that more positive the therapeutic relationship, the more beneficial it was to the client.
Key Issues Counselors need to be aware of
The researchers of this article believe that a positive therapeutic relationship is vitally important with all clients, but is especially important with LGBT individuals. Because lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people are a minority, therapists with these types of clients should always acknowledge and affirm this issue with the client even if that is not the reason why they are in therapy. The therapist should also demonstrate a positive attitude regarding this issue with the client. LGBT individuals are at high risk for depression and suicide, which is why therapists should pay close attention to these clients and tend to their needs as best they can. Overall, the researchers believe that therapists should not view homosexuality as a disorder, and should not blame the client’s issues on their sexual orientation. The therapists should be knowledgeable about the possible consequences of coming out, but should not use a heterosexual frame of reference for other sexually oriented relationships, and should not express degrading beliefs about homosexuality.
Implications for School Counseling
Although the researchers do not directly relate the information in the article to school counseling, this issue is still very relevant to the school environment. This article implies that school counselors should make an effort to develop a relationship with individuals who are LGBT. This would allow the students to feel more welcome to speaking with the counselor, and if an issue were to come up which the student required services, they would be more likely to discuss their sexuality with a counselor whom they already have that relationship with. Furthermore, school counselors should work toward developing a positive environment for LGBT individuals, such as a “safe zone” where these students can feel comfortable and free of judgment in these settings. School Counselors should do their best to exude their acceptance of LGBT people, and should always affirm this issue if it comes up in a counseling session. In conclusion, School Counselors should work toward an optimal therapeutic relationship.