This study examined research of lesbian and gay male issues in counseling psychology journals. Of the 6,661 studies reviewed from 6 major counseling psychology journals over a 12-year period, 43 (.65%) focused on variables related to lesbian or gay male sexual orientation. The content of the articles demonstrates a perspective of gay male and lesbian acceptance or affirmation. Study samples were composed mostly of university-affiliated, White, East-coast, urban persons. Sexual orientation of study participants was more often assumed than directly ascertained by self-report. The results of content analyses, a methodological critique of the empirical studies, and 12 recommendations for conducting research on issues concerning lesbian women and gay men are presented and discussed.
Counseling psychology professional organizations clearly state that discrimination on the basis of minority status-be it racial/ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, or other-is unethical and unacceptable. Unfortunately, many counselors and counseling psychologists have received little training with regard to lesbian and gay issues. This article presents ways in which these issues can and should be incorporated into counseling psychology training programs. Academic and internship training are addressed, followed by a discussion of the importance of a safe and appropriate environment for lesbian and gay personnel Specific recommendations are presented and discussed.
This study examined female counseling psychology doctoral students' perceptions of the type and extent of training they had received concerning lesbian and gay people. Participants, 213 female students from at least 31 counseling psychology programs, completed a 33-item survey designed to examine their perceptions of the frequency and manner in which lesbian and gay issues were addressed in their training. Results of the analyses indicated that female students receive little exposure to lesbian- or gay-related issues or to lesbian or gay clients and thus are not trained to work with these clients. Further results and implications are presented and discussed
In order for counselors to facilitate the growth of their lesbian and gay clients, they must be familiar with and become sensitive to the special needs of this population. However, most counselors and counselor trainees have had little exposure to these needs. One way of increasing their awareness and sensitivity is to incorporate lesbian and gay issues into counselor training programs. The focus of this article is to present a limited list of strategies and resources that can be used to supplement materials in traditional courses in counselor training so as to better prepare counselors for dealing with lesbian and gay clients.
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