Holland's Theory: Its Relevance for Lesbian Women and Gay Men

Career development and counselling needs of LGBTQ high school students

“…LGBTQ students struggling to overcome their identity confusion and integrate their LGBTQ identity into their selfconcept are unable to simultaneously effectively make career plans (Alderson, 2003;Charles & Arndt, 2013;Mobley & Slaney, 1996). Those who are able to make career plans often restrict their true career interests and instead occupationally stereotype because of negative environmental influences and perceived barriers (Chung, 1995;Chung & Harmon, 1994;Lindley, 2006;Morrow, Gore, & Campbell, 1996;Pope et al, 2004;Prince, 1997).…”

“…Cass (1996) has suggested that there is a six-stage process that LGBTQ people go through in coming to terms with their sexual identity. The stages are characterised as follows: (a) Identity Confusion: individuals begin to question and become confused about their sexual orientation; (b) Identity Comparison: individuals try to understand why they 'feel different' by exploring and comparing their thoughts and feelings about sexual orientation with others; (c) Identity Tolerance: individuals pose as heterosexual in most environments while increasing their contact with the LGBTQ community; (d) Identity Acceptance: individuals develop and embrace positive attitudes toward lesbian or gay identity; (e) Identity Pride: individuals are proud of their identity and seek activities/environments that nurture and support it; and (f) Identity Synthesis: individuals willingly disclose their sexual orientation as one aspect of their identity, and deal with the societal reactions this may elicit from others (Mobley & Slaney, 1996).…”

Interpersonal Influences on Students' Academic and Career Decisions: The Impact of Sexual Orientation

“…Because of"stereotypes, discrimination, environmental barriers, and other forms ofbiasthat typically impede the development ofminority groups" (Herr & Cramer, 1988, p. 154), theorists have suggested that the career decision making and implementation ofGLB individuals may be particularly difficult when compared with that of heterosexual individuals. A growing literature, including special issues of The Career Development Quarterly and Journal ofVocational Behavior, has addressed waysin which GLB individuals' career development is affected by sexual identity and orientation issues (e.g., Chung, 1995;Fassinger, 1995Fassinger, , 1996Mobley & Slaney, 1996;Morrow, Gore, & Campbell, 1996;Pope, 1995;Prince, 1995). …”

Culturally Appropriate Career Counseling With Gay and Lesbian Clients

“…The American Counseling Association published a how-to book (Gel berg & Chojnacki, 1996) on career counseling with gay and lesbian clients. A second panel was selected for presentation at NCDA's 1995 San Francisco conference (Ford, 1996;Mobley & Slaney, 1996;Morrow, Gore, & Campbell, 1996). This second panel reported on research in progress as a result of the first panel's presentations.…”