Sexual Orientation, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Queer Clients

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) falls within societal minority groups such as low income, people of color, and disables (AHRQ, 2011). Due to their gender identity, discrimination, violence, and even denial of human rights and healthcare services is a common challenge among LGBT population. LGBT still faces many health disparities primarily related to the historic bias of healthcare professionals anti-LGBT manners even though society acceptance has been favorable. According to Ard and Makadon (n.d), “until 1973, homosexuality was listed as a disorder…, and transgender still is.” This stigma prevents healthcare professionals to openly ask questions in a non-judgmental manner related to sexual identity. On the other hand, if the patient senses that the healthcare environment is discriminating they may be reluctant to disclose important information as their sexual orientation; thus, missing important opportunities of been educated about safety and health care risks.

LGBTQ adolescents, also called sexual minority youth, have a higher risk of developing mental and emotional problems than heterosexual youth, and also face more bullying, harassment, and victimization due to homophobia (Craig, Austin, & McInroy, 2014). In order to address their needs, the researchers used group therapy that was based on

Nadal proposes a taxonomy of sexual orientation and gender identity microaggressions that he references throughout the remainder of the book when examining microaggressions and their cause. Nadal proposes eight categories to classify microaggressions that target LGBT individuals:

Due to the stigma and complexities often faced in individual uniqueness of LGB, many times there needs to be a place where they can fully be understood through awareness and competency of counselors, and the differences they experience with revealing their sexuality years ago, and how they present themselves today (Pachankis, & Goldfried, p. 242, 2004). Therefore, these guidelines are utilized for that purpose, similar to the standards to the code of ethics, to aid in a level of structure and organized

Society’s view of the LGBTQ population has changed dramatically over time. Until 1973, the American Psychological Association had considered homosexuality to be a mental disorder (Silvestre, Beatty, & Friedman, 2013). Today, many LGBTQ couples are getting married and raising children. Although these individuals are receiving more legal benefits, they still must struggle with the stigma that society has associated with these gender and sexual identities (Hequembourg & Dearing, 2013). This stigma has contributed to a variety of issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer or questioning individuals. Although little research has been done on LGBTQ families and substance abuse, studies have shown that there are high rates of substance abuse for individuals who are of sexual minorities (McCabe, West, Hughes, & Boyd, 2013; Senreich, 2009; Silvestre, Beatty, & Friedman, 2013). In addition to high rates of substance abuse for LGBTQ individuals, many problems exist for those in families with LGBTQ members. Youth may have a

This paper focuses on counseling clients a part of the “sexual minority” (Yarhouse, Kays, and Jones, 2013). The information regarding sexual minorities and the techniques to counsel these clients are summarized from Yarhouse et al.’s “The Sexual Minority Client” (2013). The basis for counseling the sexual minority is competence. This shift to competence is primarily from the “multicultural movement” (Yarhouse, et. al., 2013). Two supporting therapies of this movement are and “affirmative approach” and “sexual identity therapy” (Yarhouse, et. al., 2013). Counselors’ beliefs and values are inevitable in therapy. Practicing in an area with similar beliefs and values minimizes ethical issues. Personal reflection shows acceptance of information provided in the chapter except statements from the ACA and APA in which Christian counselors seem discouraged to provide therapy for the sexual minority. Interest exists in the areas of percentages concerning sexual minority, as well as, these individuals claiming an identity. The primary form of therapy to be administered for a sexual minority client is sexual identity therapy. This therapy provides the least risk in regards to ethics. The client chooses the goal and the counselor acts as a support for the client to obtain the goal. Though beliefs differ, the client will be supported even if the homosexual

Sexual orientationism is best described as discrimination or prejudice against homosexuals on the assumption that heterosexuality is the dominant, or normal, sexual orientation. Within society there are many barriers, assumptions, and stigmas placed upon the queer community, numerous of which steam from this heterosexist stance that has become the dominant ideology. This stance has historical significance in trauma, and oppression of those within the sexual minority, and how this can play on representation.

Sexual and social stigmas largely affect the health of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. While many reports from the Institute of Medicine, Healthy People 2020 and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recognize a need to improve the quality of health care, barriers still remain. LGBT patients face legal discrimination, especially with insurance, a lack of social programs, and limited access to providers competent in LGBT health care. Although the Affordable Care Act increased access to care for LGBT patients, unless these patients feel understood by providers and develop trust in the system, they are not likely to utilize care. Healthcare providers need to recognize how these vulnerabilities, as well as persistent racism and stigma linked to sexual orientation and gender identity, make the healthcare needs of LGBT patients more challenging than the general population. Healthcare providers also need to promote cultural competence within this population and broaden their clinical lens to include health promotion, in addition to addressing concerns mentioned above within the population. Additionally, medical and nursing schools need to ensure that future providers are adequately educated by including information about this population in the curriculum.

Conversion therapy is affecting the LGBTQ+ community greatly. Conversion therapy can be defined as “psychological interventions, from behavioral methods to psychoanalytic approaches” to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity (Hadelman, pg. 202, 2002). This treatment has been proven to not work as well as having harmful implications to LGBTQ+ people.

Today, falling birth rates and advances in medicine have made adults 65 years and older, one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. According to a report by the National LGBTQ Task Force, “nearly 37.9 million Americans are 65 or older, representing 12.6% of the population, or one in eight Americans” (Grant, Koskovich, Frazer, & Bjerk, 2010, p. 19). Notably, the aging population is faced with struggles that include limited mobility, physical, and mental health problems, as well as a rising need for long-term care, like home nursing, assisted living, and hospital stays. The growth in the aging population also means that it has become more diverse. Furthermore, it is estimated that “between now and the height of the aging boom, there will be approximately nearly 2 million to as many as 7 million LGBT elders in the United States” (Grant et al., 2010, p. 28). Across one’s lifespan, several socioeconomic factors impact one’s ability to access resources later in life. The LGBT population in the United States is distinct in the fact that it faces discrimination as a sexual minority, as well as discrimination as a result of ageism. As a result, the LGBT population may have social service needs that differ from that of the heterosexual population. In fact, studies are beginning to suggest that older LGBT people may face a unique set of needs and challenges as

addressing these complex and often messy issues of the LBGTQ+ community, to a predominantly heteronormative audience,

As indicated by Hammack (2005, p. 2) the objective attention on the relationship between the media and LGB identity can be given fairness by the role of contextual factors in LGB’s development of identity. Therefore, the GLB character improvement process, counting the acknowledgement of one’s same sex sexual desires and coming out, has been

The queerness experience of Latino and African-American folks are very alike. Both ethnic/racial group members not only share culture with similar features, but they also are exposed to the same systematic oppression experience. Latino and African-American queer people likewise have to deal with racism, xenophobic and homophobic sentiment, on a daily basis. Such oppression comes from their most meaningful source of support, which is their family and social community. Both African-American and Latino culture share a similar concept of meaning and purpose of a family as well as religious belief. These are not very queer friendly and make their community an oppressive environment. It is imperative to examine the interaction between ethnic/racial and sexual identity and how it affects the psychosocial well-being of sexual minorities. Likewise, to explore how group therapy can be used to their advantages.

One of the issues that should be addressed in treatment is the socialization that lesbian clients participate in. In treatment, it is necessary to give any client tools for recovery. These tools should include alternative activities that do not revolve around the getting and using of alcohol and drugs. This may be a difficultly task when dealing with LGBT clients especially since there are not many options for socialization besides bars, clubs, or parties. In Oklahoma there are about 333 thousand same-sex couples per the 2010 Census (The Williams Institute, 2011). Oklahoma has some programs and organizations that give the LGBT community different opportunities where they can meet other members without being surrounded by alcohol and drugs. Two main organizations are specific geared towards lesbians. Herland offers social and educational services that focus on lesbian issues but is offer to all women (Herland, 2008). Herland is an excellent organization to recommend to lesbian clients located in Oklahoma. The second organization is known as OKCLesbian. Additionally, OKCLesbian offers substitutions for socializations at bars, clubs, and church. They often have large dinner events called Lez Eat where local lesbians can get together, have fun, and enjoy a nice meal together. Giving clients different choices to socialize in sobriety may perhaps increase their likelihood of staying sober and finding new friends to enjoy it with. Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the