Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Questioning Sexual Orientation

Douglas C. Haldeman

Citation

Haldeman, D. C. (2018). Appropriate therapeutic responses to questioning sexual orientation. Journal of Health Service Psychology, 44, 62–67.

Abstract

Adolescence is accompanied by an emergence of strong sexual feelings that occur while the individual is learning to navigate the social world. For some, questions about sexual orientation and identity are confusing. Therapeutically, adolescents need a safe and value-free environment to understand their internal experiences of admiration, affection, sexual fantasies, and sexual attraction. This article describes a client-centered therapeutic approach in working with questioning adolescents. Gay clients may need additional support in exploring their internal experience, their social environment, coping strategies, and sexual identity development.

Registrants can read the full article on CE.NationalRegister.org.

References

American Psychological Association. (2009). Report of the task force on appropriate therapeutic    responses to sexual orientation. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Balsam, K.F. & Mohr, J.J. (2007). Adaptation to sexual orientation stigma: A comparison of bisexual and lesbian/gay adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 31, 43-55.

Beckstead, L. & Israel, T. (2007). Affirmative counseling and psychotherapy focused on issues related to sexual orientation conflicts. In K.J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez & K.A. DeBord (Eds.) Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients (2^nd ed., pp. 221-244). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Brown, L.S. (2006). The neglect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered clients. In J. Norcross, L. Beutler & R. Levant (Eds.) Evidence-based practices in mental health: Debate and dialogue on fundamental questions (pp. 346-352) Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Canadian Pediatric Society (2008). Adolescent sexual orientation. Paediatrics Child Health, 13(7) 619-623.

Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1980). An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219-239.

Haldeman, D.C. (2001). Therapeutic antidotes: Helping gay and bisexual men recover from conversion therapies. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 5(3-4), 117-130.

Haldeman, D.C. (2002). Gay rights, patient rights: The implications of sexual orientation conversion therapy. Professional Psychology, 33, 200-204.

Herek, G. & Garnets, L. (2007). Sexual orientation and mental health. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 3, 353-375.

Meyer, I. H. (1995). Minority stress and mental health in gay men. Journal of Social and Health Behavior, 7, 9-25.

Shidlo, A. & Gonsiorek, J. (2017). Psychotherapy with clients who have been through sexual orientation change interventions or request to change their sexual orientation. In K. DeBord, A. Fischer, K. Bieschke & R. Perez (Eds.) Handbook of sexual orientation and gender diversity in counseling and psychotherapy. 291-312. Washington DC: APA Books.

Shidlo, A. & Schroeder, M. (2002). Changing sexual orientation: A consumer’s report. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 249-259.

Worthingon, R. L., Savoy, H., Dillon, F. R. & Vernaglia, E. R. (2002). Heterosexual identity development: A multidimensional model of individual and group identity. The Counseling Psychologust, 30, 496-531.