Contributions of Multicultural Counseling to Counselor Competence With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients

Abstract

This article outlines the contributions of multicultural counseling to 3 areas of counselor competence with lesbian, gay male, and bisexual male and female (LGB) clients: conceptualization of competence, counselor education, and assessment of counselor competence. The authors describe the foundations of multicultural counseling and extend the concepts to counselor competence with LGB clients.Este articulo resume las contribuciones de la consejeria multicultural a tres campos de habilidad consejera con clientes homosexuales y hombres y mujeres bisexuales: la conceptualizacion de la competencia, educacion del consejero, y evaluacion de competencia para consejeria. Los autores describen 10s fundamentos de la consejeria multicultural y extienden estos conceptos a la competencia consejera con clientes homosexuales, lesbianas, y bisexuales. M ulticultural counseling and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) counseling have developed fairly independently from each other and are, at times, pitted against each other in a battle for inclusion in counselor education curricula. Rather than ignore or antagonize each other, multicultural and LGB counseling can learn from each other, strengthening each field and building a more comprehensive vision of counselor competence with diverse clients. In particular, the foundation of multicultural counseling can be extended to provide a framework for counselor competence with LGB clients.

Volume 6 Issue 1 Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

“…Over the past 20 years, two main schools of thought emerged regarding how to define multiculturalism in counseling. While Locke (1990) and others advocated for a more specific view of multicultural counseling that focuses on racial and ethnic minorities, another school of thought embraces inclusion of multiple variables (Israel & Selvidge, 2003). For example, Pederson's (1991) definition of multiculturalism in counseling is less specific and includes: race and ethnicity, age, gender, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, language, location of residence, sexuality, etc.…”

The Experiences of Legally Married Same-Sex Couples in California

“…As a result of living in an oppressive society, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in comparison with heterosexual persons (Israel & Selvidge, 2003;Pearson, 2003;Rudolf, 1988). Consequently, 25% to 65% of LGB people seek counseling.…”

“…Both education and training have been linked to mental health professionals espousing more LGB affirmative attitudes and practices in their clinical work (Fletcher & Russell, 2001;Israel & Selvidge, 2003;Kocarek & Pelling, 2003;Long & Serovich, 2003;Malley & Tasker, 2004;Pearson, 2003;Rudolf, 1988). Findings from the aforementioned mental health literature indicate that progress in the area of counselor education and training is still needed in order to reduce the gap between the position of the APA and the attitudes and professional practices of therapists and mental health professionals (Pearson, 2003).…”

“…As previously mentioned, research suggests that due to stigma and discrimination, gay men and lesbians experience a greater prevalence of mental health concerns than heterosexual persons (Hatzenbuehler, McLaughlin, Keyes, & Hasin, 2010;Herek, 2006;Israel & Selvidge, 2003;Pearson, 2003;Rostosky, Riggle, Horne & Miller, 2009;Russell & Richards, 2003;Rudolf, 1988). Bans on the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples are an example of institutionalized discrimination (Hatzenbuehler et al, 2010;Herek, 2006;Rostosky, Riggle, Horne, Denton, & Huellemeier, 2010).…”

“…LGBT Affirmative: Israel and Selvidge (2003), in citing Morrow (2000), contend that the term LGBT affirmative refers to the view that LGBT people and issues are "central and self-defining as opposed to marginal and defined by the heterosexual norm"(p. 86).…”