Client’s LGBTQ+ Counseling Considerations
ANSWER
Considerations for Creating a Treatment Plan:
- Respect for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation:
- It is essential to demonstrate respect and affirmation for the client’s gender identity (transgender and agender) and sexual orientation (queer). Ensure that you use their preferred name and pronouns consistently throughout the therapy sessions.
- Take time to educate yourself about the specific challenges and experiences that transgender and agender individuals may face in society, such as discrimination and identity-related stressors. Address these issues in therapy and provide a safe space for the client to discuss their feelings and experiences.
- Addressing Sexual Needs and Comfort Levels:
- Given the client’s discomfort with dating and discussing bodies and sexuality, it’s crucial to create a non-judgmental environment where they can explore their feelings and desires at their own pace.
- Develop strategies to help the client navigate their solo fetish in a healthy and safe manner. This may involve discussing boundaries, consent, and risk reduction techniques, if applicable.
- Encourage open communication about their feelings of discomfort and work together to identify potential sources of anxiety or shame related to their sexuality.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Reducing Discrimination:
- Recognize that the client’s experience may be influenced by cultural factors. Take the time to learn about their cultural background and how it intersects with their gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Discuss strategies for coping with potential discrimination or bias that the client may encounter outside of therapy. This could include providing resources for LGBTQ+ support groups, legal protections, or ways to advocate for their rights.
- Collaborate with the client to develop a support network that includes friends, family, or other professionals who are knowledgeable and compassionate about LGBTQ+ issues. This network can provide additional resources and emotional support.
To reduce potential discrimination from other care providers:
- Educate and sensitize other care providers within your network by sharing knowledge and resources related to working with LGBTQ+ clients.
- Advocate for your client’s rights and privacy by discussing confidentiality and informed consent with other healthcare professionals.
- Collaborate with LGBTQ+ organizations and networks to ensure that your client receives referrals to inclusive and affirming healthcare providers.
- Stay up-to-date with current research and best practices in LGBTQ+ healthcare to ensure that you are providing the most effective and culturally competent care possible.
By following these considerations and advocating for your client’s well-being, you can create a supportive and affirming therapeutic environment while helping to reduce potential discrimination in their healthcare journey.
Question Description
I’m working on a social science question and need support to help me learn.
Examining case studies helps counselors to explore factors that challenge our prior knowledge of the boundaries of human sexuality and to better understand the complexity of working with diverse clients.
Imagine that a client presents themselves to you during intake with a self-description that includes at least 1 of the following variables:
Gender Identity:
transgender or intersex
agender or genderless
bigender
gender fluid, nonbinary, genderqueer, two-spirit, or other gender non-conforming labe
Sexual Orientation:
- lesbian or gay
- bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, or polysexual
- queer, questioning, or undecided
- asexual, demisexual, graysexual, or closeted
- other type of sexuality unfamiliar to you
Additionally, this client describes their romantic orientation to you as “not really standard, based on what most people expect,” and discloses to you that their attraction type is one of the following (pick 1):
Single; does not engage in sex, but participates in regular encounters involving casual and consensual touch with strangers
- Single; highly uncomfortable with dating and discussing bodies and sexuality; practices a solo fetish in private
- Single and dating; engages in regular casual sex with new individuals and groups; history of positive STI test but uses preventative precautions to reduce risk of transmission.
- Married long-term; functions as the primary caretaker for a spouse with disabilities; has a sexual relationship with a non-romantic mutual friend once a month
- Partnered with several individuals simultaneously in an ethically non-monogamous relationship (open, polyamorous, polycules, metamours/paramours, triads/quads/etc.)
- Other type of relationship arrangement unfamiliar to you
Describe your fictional client case and the situation that you chose for this discussion.
As you prepare to create a treatment plan for your client, what are 3 considerations that you would make when working with this client (ethical, physiological, environmental, cultural, developmental, spiritual, etc.) to best meet this client’s needs? What can you do in your clinical practice to reduce the potential discrimination that this client may face when they pursue treatment from other care providers who might be less compassionate of their identity and/or sexuality?
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