Understanding the needs of LGBTQ clients and their risk for commercial sexual exploitation: Training community mental health workers

The influence of teaching philosophy on coverage of LGBTQ issues in counseling courses

“…Correlational research studies have shown that receiving training and supervision in LGBTQ issues in graduate coursework and in continuing education is related to increased LGBTQ competence among counselors and trainees (Alessi et al., 2016; Bidell, 2014). Researchers using quasi‐experimental and mixed‐method studies have found that counselors who receive LGBTQ‐specific training report more affirmative attitudes (Bidell, 2014, 2017), reductions in anti‐LGBTQ bias (Pepping et al., 2018), and improved knowledge and skills in counseling LGBTQ individuals (Kenny et al., 2019; Luke & Goodrich, 2017; Rivers & Swank, 2017). Survey and correlation‐based research studies also appear to show that the effects of training in LGBTQ issues hold when accounting for differences in prejudicial attitudes (Alessi et al., 2016), years of experience (Moe et al., 2021), age (Bidell, 2014), religiosity, and psychological flexibility (Pepping et al., 2018).…”

“…The developers of the SAIGE frameworks strongly emphasize the importance of critical teaching methods and of experiential learning to facilitate counselor competence in LGBTQ affirmative therapy (Burnes et al., 2010; Harper et al., 2013), and there is conceptual support for both training approaches for addressing LGBTQ issues (Kenney et al., 2019; Luke & Goodrich, 2017; Luke et al., 2022). The empirical support for these recommendations remains underdeveloped.…”

“…People who are sexual‐affectual and gender identity minorities, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals, experience disproportionate stressors related to their status as members of marginalized populations (Fulginiti et al., 2020). Approximately 5–8% of the population identifies as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (Kenney et al., 2019), with approximately 1% identifying as transgender or nonbinary (Salpietro et al., 2019). These population estimates are likely underestimates as they do not include people who fear disclosing their LGBTQ identities (Kenney et al., 2019).…”

“…Approximately 5–8% of the population identifies as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (Kenney et al., 2019), with approximately 1% identifying as transgender or nonbinary (Salpietro et al., 2019). These population estimates are likely underestimates as they do not include people who fear disclosing their LGBTQ identities (Kenney et al., 2019). Given these estimates, and that LGBTQ identified people are more likely to seek mental health services, counselors are likely to work with members of LGBTQ populations (Graham et al., 2012).…”

“…According to the Trevor Project (2022), two‐thirds of surveyed LGBTQ youth report heightened anxiety and depression related to anti‐LGBTQ civil rights legislation. It is vital for counselors to develop competency in LGBTQ affirmative therapy principles in order to effectively serve their LGBTQ clients (Kenny et al., 2019; Pepping et al., 2018). Research shows that training in LGBTQ issues positively impacts counselors’ LGBTQ competence (Alessi et al., 2016; Pepping et al., 2018); however, to date there is no standardized training experiences in LGBTQ issues that all students are required to complete (Moe et al., 2021).…”