Thoughts about therapy with LGBQT Clients

Two concepts really stood out to me from the first video we watched in regards to counseling LGBQT clients. First, I like the idea of a sexual orientation continuum- not just a flexible or sliding scale for how one identifies their gender, but a continuum of sexual orientation awareness. The therapist explained that the process begins with awareness, and then hopefully transitions to acceptance and then integration. She identified four main categories on this continuum:
1. Little or no awareness that the root of current sexual or relational conflict might be sexual orientation based.
2. Aware of being homosexual, but not at all accepting of it (she identified these people as homophobic).
3. Aware of sexual orientation, and accepting it in some areas of life but not all domains
4. Aware, accepting, and integrating sexual orientation into all domains of one's life
 
One key point she made about helping clients who are still in that first category of sexual orientation exploration is that we as therapists have the opportunity to help clients recognize the possibility and importance of gay relationships. Later she mentioned that we can try to help distill some homophobic fears by validating lesbian and gay relationships as being at "the same caliber" as homosexual relationships.


My second take away thought would probably relate to folks who are in the fourth, and maybe third stage along the continuum. I believe it was during the second video, and we also discussed this concept in class, but basically it is important to remember that LGBQT couples are likely seeking counseling for "everyday problems". I say that this is more likely for individuals and couples further along on the orientation continuum because I am hypothesizing that if someone is just beginning to explore the idea of a "new" sexual orientation, this could cause some distress in their life, and so it may be the primary concern and thus their reason for seeking counseling. However, for individuals or couples who have established their sexual orientation (at least within himself or herself), they are just as likely to be dealing with aging parents, promotions, financial struggles, and all the stressors that any other couple faces. This concept resonated with me because I think sometimes when we (or at least I) concentrate so hard on being sensitive, I end up hyper-focusing on the difference. While it is important to use respectful language and be accepting of our client's relationships and choices, that does not mean I should assume that is the reason for stress in their life, or even the "thing" they want to talk about at all.