Ethics In Counseling
Issues and Ethics in Counselling Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals
A considerable number of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people will turn to helping professionals when they need assistance with problems. Lesbians, gay and bisexual individuals experience similar problems to heterosexual clients, such as anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, alcoholism, violence, relationship problems, and anger. There are unique issues faced by LGB persons, however. This paper will summarize the major issues for which LGB individuals seek counselling and provide recommendations for counsellors.
Counselling Issues for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals
One of the major counselling issues for LGB people is "coming out." Coming out refers to …show more content…
Aid clients in assessing how much energy they are spending to not disclose to a person/group/community, determine if this has been a problem (have there been costs), and assess whether this expenditure of energy would be decreased or increased if a disclosure were to occur.
Role-play/rehearse potential disclosure situations.
Assess the resources/support network; strategize to build additional support if necessary.
Explore possible positive and negative outcomes of disclosing or not disclosing, the feelings about disclosing/not disclosing, and ways to handle the outcomes.
Explore with clients how disclosure may affect relationships with their racial, cultural, and social groups.
Assess how disclosure may affect immediate family members (partner and children).
Help clients to prepare for how they may understand the potential reactions of others and support those to whom they intend to disclose without compromising …show more content…
Provide information and referrals to other community resources when necessary, such as coming out groups, support groups for lesbian mothers/gay fathers or lesbian/gay youth, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; be aware of agency policies and environment for gay men and lesbians.
Do not come out for clients.
Avoid labeling the client - allow them to use their own words to describe themselves.
Validate clients' sexual orientation as a healthy sexual identity; give permission for them to responsibly explore their sexual identity.
Be honest with clients about your sexual orientation; ask clients if they have any concerns or issues with your sexual orientation, and find out what they need from you as a counsellor.
Be familiar with gay/lesbian culture and terminology.
Know your own `hooks' - areas where you may feel uncomfortable or judgmental.
Be aware of and work on your own homophobia or internalized homophobia.
Recognize that clients may initially be mistrustful of you and there may be some
A considerable number of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people will turn to helping professionals when they need assistance with problems. Lesbians, gay and bisexual individuals experience similar problems to heterosexual clients, such as anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, alcoholism, violence, relationship problems, and anger. There are unique issues faced by LGB persons, however. This paper will summarize the major issues for which LGB individuals seek counselling and provide recommendations for counsellors.
Counselling Issues for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals
One of the major counselling issues for LGB people is "coming out." Coming out refers to …show more content…
Aid clients in assessing how much energy they are spending to not disclose to a person/group/community, determine if this has been a problem (have there been costs), and assess whether this expenditure of energy would be decreased or increased if a disclosure were to occur.
Role-play/rehearse potential disclosure situations.
Assess the resources/support network; strategize to build additional support if necessary.
Explore possible positive and negative outcomes of disclosing or not disclosing, the feelings about disclosing/not disclosing, and ways to handle the outcomes.
Explore with clients how disclosure may affect relationships with their racial, cultural, and social groups.
Assess how disclosure may affect immediate family members (partner and children).
Help clients to prepare for how they may understand the potential reactions of others and support those to whom they intend to disclose without compromising …show more content…
Provide information and referrals to other community resources when necessary, such as coming out groups, support groups for lesbian mothers/gay fathers or lesbian/gay youth, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; be aware of agency policies and environment for gay men and lesbians.
Do not come out for clients.
Avoid labeling the client - allow them to use their own words to describe themselves.
Validate clients' sexual orientation as a healthy sexual identity; give permission for them to responsibly explore their sexual identity.
Be honest with clients about your sexual orientation; ask clients if they have any concerns or issues with your sexual orientation, and find out what they need from you as a counsellor.
Be familiar with gay/lesbian culture and terminology.
Know your own `hooks' - areas where you may feel uncomfortable or judgmental.
Be aware of and work on your own homophobia or internalized homophobia.
Recognize that clients may initially be mistrustful of you and there may be some