Incorporating Lesbian and Gay Issues Into Counselor Training: A Resource Guide

Abstract

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.

Affirmatieve hulpverlening aan homoseksuele mannen.

“…Davies (1996) merkt op dat er wel een aantal veranderingen nodig is gezien de inherente heteroseksistische foutenmarge in veel traditionele therapietheoriee¨n en theoriee¨n over persoonlijkheidsontwikkeling (Buhrke, 1989b). Hierbij kan men onder andere denken aan de seksuele ontwikkelingsstadia die Freud voorstelde.…”

Sexual Orientation and Supervision

“…Further, moving beyond an area of perceived competence (i.e., sexual orientation), may generate anxiety in the supervisor by forcing him/her to discuss an unfamiliar or affect-laden issue. Training programs typically provide little preparation for dealing with sexual orientation issues in supervision or therapy (Buhrke, 1989b;Graham, Rawlings, Halpern, & Hermes, 1984;Rogers, Riddle, & Moria, 1977;Stein, 1994) and the supervisor may need to protect himself/herself from the painful affects that accompany acknowledging the supervisee's minority sexual orientation. As a member of the majority culture, the supervisor needs to confront the benefits received from being heterosexual and the accompanying guilt that such an acknowledgment may produce.…”

Voices of Care and Justice in Clinical Supervision: Issues and Interventions

“…We encourage supervisors to systematically expose the students to the relevant literature on multiculturalism, including gender bias and gender role stereotypes (e.g., Anonymous, 1991;Brodsky. 1980;Buhrke, 1989;Dworkin & Gutierrez, 1989;Gilbert, 1987a;Helms, 1984;Pedersen, 1991;Scher & Good, 1990;Vasquez, 1988). We have found it helpful to construct for students a required reading list of references addressing multicultural issues and biases (i.e., gender, age, racial, religious, and sexual orientation biases).…”

“…205-207). Several excellent resources currently exist that delineate a variety of exercises to increase awareness of gender related biases (see Bernard & Goodyear, 1992;Brodsky, 1980;Buhrke, 1989;Cook, 1985;Dworkin & Gutierrez, 1989;Gilbert, 1987b;Moore & Nelson, 1981;Pedersen, 1991;Vasquez, 1988; and the references therein). These exercises are particularly useful in counselor training and supervision to increase counselors' awareness of their biases and stereotypes and to integrate the cognitive knowledge gained from the readings.…”