Schrimshaw, Hunter, & Braun, 2006, p. 47). Cass’s model outlined by Coulter and France (2013) lists stages that many queer clients go through when dealing with their own sexual orientation and gender identity. In accordance with Cass’s model, Coulter and France (2013) define the six stages. 1. Identity awareness: When the child or adolescent realizes they are different from others or different from what they have been taught. 2. Identity comparison: The individual begins to explore his/her feelings alone and compare them to the beliefs of society and others. 3. Identity tolerance: The individual will rebel against the feelings and attempt to deny them. 4. Identity acceptance: Realizing their sexual identity is not abnormal …show more content…
Identity pride: The individual’s commitment to the queer lifestyle is strong. They may feel anger toward parents, society, religion, and other aspects of the world that tell them they are wrong, immoral, or mentally ill because of their feelings. They may engage in activism and advocacy. 6. Identity synthesis: The final stage is when their queer identity becomes part of who they are rather than the defining factor. Individuals accept themselves wholly rather than seeing their queer identity as separate from the rest of them. The development of queer identity is a complex and often difficult process. When counselling queer clients, it is important to know what acceptance stage they are in especially if sexuality is the presenting issue. “Coming out is not a onetime event; it is a lifelong process of negotiating when and to whom to disclose” (Chaney et al., 2011, p. 36). Counselling Interventions Many counselling interventions are applicable to queer clients. Affirmative therapy addresses the broad range of issues with which LGBT clients might present. Part of affirmative therapy is creating a welcoming, inclusive physical environment in the counselling office. Beyond that; it also means avoiding harm to clients and offering unconditional positive regard. With affirmative therapy being the foundation, a counsellor can integrate other approaches, such as feminist, existential or Gestalt …show more content…
There is a great need for knowledgeable and skilled counsellors to effectively work with our queer community. According to the American Psychological Association (2012), studies have shown that graduate students and early career therapists report inadequate education and training in queer issues. Research is needed in how to integrate current information about queer issues throughout graduate training and professional practice including what resources are most effective. Coulter and France (2013) echo that it is imperative graduate programmes be infused with education around queer issues. Israel (2003) posit that outcome evaluations and rigorous research designs could help identify specific methods of attitude change, knowledge attainment and skill
They mention the transition of “the closet,” as being a place in which people could not see you, to becoming a metaphor over the last two decades of the twentieth century used for queers who face a lack of sexual identity. Shneer and Aviv bring together two conflicting ideas of the American view of queerness: the ideas of the past, and the present. They state as queerness became more visible, people finally had the choice of living multiple lives, or integrating one’s lives and spaces (Shneer and Aviv 2006: 245). They highlight another change in the past twenty years as the clash between being queer and studying queerness (Shneer and Aviv 2006: 246-7). They argue that the active and visible contests over power among American queers show that queers now occupy an important place in our culture. They expand on the fact that queerness, real, and performed, is everywhere (Shneer and Aviv 2006: 248). This source shows the transformation in American culture of the acceptance of queerness. It makes an extremely critical resource by providing evidence of the changes in culture throughout the last two decades. Having the information that queerness is becoming more accepted in culture links to a higher percentage of LGBTQ youths becoming comfortable with their sexual identity. However, compared to the other sources, this
We live in a society in which there are people of different race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation etc. people are free to choose whatever path they want to follow and especially with sexual orientation. People know what path they way want to follow at an early age whether they heterosexual, meaning that they are straight or if they are homosexual which means that they are lesbian, transgender, or queer/questioning. In this paper, Ally Training will be discussed as being educational, how heterosexism plays a part in homosexual’s lives, the coming out process, the multicultural world, concerns that homosexual faces, and religion.
When analyzing aspects of our identity that shape our attitude, behaviors and experiences we must include concepts of sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, socioeconomic class, religion, and ability. It’s essential that we understand our own and others identities in order to better understand our social relationships and our interactions with one another.
Coming out, regardless of what one is coming out as, is incredibly difficult. An important aspect of accepting ones’ sexuality is the support that one gets from others of the same sexuality. “This support comes not only from loved ones … but also from associating with like-minded others in the gay, lesbians, and bisexual communities” (McLean 63). However, even in a group that’s been discriminated against by heterosexuals, there is an outstanding amount biphobia in the LGBT community. Bisexuals, while technically are included in the LGBT community, often have difficulty fitting in with the rest of the community.
Huebner, D. M., Rebchook, G. M., & Kegeles, S. M. (2004). Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men. American Journal Of Public Health, 94(7), 1200-1203.
As well as, remembering that mental health may or may not play a role in these conflicts. The counselor must first assess his or her own views regarding sexuality. Working with clients apart of the LGBT culture, the counselor should not consider homosexuality unnatural or immoral. A counselor has the skills necessary to create a positive and nonjudgmental environment, and will not feel uncomfortable discussing issues related to homosexuality. It’s important for counselors to support clients in the coming out process at a pace that is healthy for them. Also, to help the LBGT individual identify who they are, and assist in developing their coping skills. With the help of support groups and the counselor, many conflicts can be resolved (Sue & Sue,
It is very reasonable to conclude that research on depression of those who identify as gay, lesbian or transsexual is not accurate; there is an underreporting of people who identify as these sexual orientations because of the fear of being different. It is understood that those apart of the LGBTQ community actively hide their identity in hopes to avoid being rejected or abused (Bird, 2013). Once the reporting issue of having a smaller percentage of the actual representation of the LGBTQ population is put aside, there is evidence that highly suggests that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders than heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). Even after underreporting, there is still enough information to conclude that sexual discrimination can have harmful effects on the quality of life. Common factors that have been observed in lesbians and gays that can potentially increase depression during Cochran's study are anxiety and mood disorders and decreased self esteem. Cochran and her partner also noted that dissatisfaction with how one is treated beca...
Johnson, L., & Federman, E. J. (2014). Training, experience, and attitudes of VA psychologists regarding LGBT issues: Relation to practice and competence.. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1(1), 10-18. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000019
The debate over homosexuality as nature or nurture dominates most topics about homosexuality. People often confuse the nature/nurture issue with the development of gay identity. In fact, the nature/nurture argument plays a small, insignificant role concerning gay youths (Walling 11). Homosexual identity is the view of the self as homosexual in association with romantic and sexual situations (Troiden 46) Many researchers have either discussed or created several models or theories concerning the development of homosexual identity. However, the most prominent is Troiden’s sociological four-stage model of homosexual identity formation. Dr. Richard R. Troiden desc...
Origin of Identity: Acceptance Sexual identity is defined as an individual’s comfort level with his or her own biological sex. It is developed during the early stages of development and may be innate or continuous throughout an individual’s life, but for some it could change over time. Sexuality may or may not align with an individual’s biological sex. When sexual identity doesn’t align with their corresponding sex, questions arise, as to what factors influenced the new identity. Factors such as culture, biological factors, environmental factors, and society.
There are several theorists that have presented models on sexual identity development. Many of the models have stages of sexual identity development suggesting that certain characteristics are present during a specific period. However, Anthony D’Augelli presents a model that suggests processes rather than stages. These processes take place over the span of one’s life and not necessarily in any specific order or fashion. D’Augelli’s (1994a) life span model of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) identity development takes into account “the complex factors that influence the development of people in context over historical time” (Evans et al, 2010). According to D’Augelli’s (1994) theory, identity formation includes three sets of interrelated variables that are involved in identity formation: personal actions and subjectivities, interactive intimacies, and sociohistorical connections. Personal subjectivities and actions include individuals’ perceptions and feelings about their sexual identities as well as actual sexual behaviors and the meanings attached to them. Interactive intimacies include the influences of family, peer group, and intimate partnerships and the meanings attached to experiences with significant others. Sociohistorical connections are defined as the social norms, policies and laws found in various geographical locations and cultures, as well as the values existing during particular historical periods (Evans et al, 2010).
While attitudes and social norms have significantly shifted in the United States, we continue to live in a world where sexuality is still a main target for hate crimes and discrimination. The term "coming out" is used to describe the process of understanding, accepting and disclosing of one's sexual identity. The process is personal and can happen in different ways for each person. Some people acknowledge their sexual identity during their teenage years, while others explore their sexual identity much later in life. For those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, coming out is an ongoing process that may involve confusion and self-doubt.
It is the stage where an adolescent re-examines their identity. To be precise, the individual tries to find out exactly who they are. According to Erikson, there are two identities involved in this stage. They are; the occupational and the sexual (McLeod, 2017). The adolescent may be uncomfortable with their looks or body, but with time they adapt to the bodily changes. The experiences of this stage result in the virtue of fidelity. The meaning of fidelity is one’s ability to commit their self to others by accepting other people despite their ideologies being different (McLeod, 2017). In this stage, the person explores the possibilities and starts to form their own identity basing upon the outcomes from their explorations. However, a failure to determine a sense of identity in a society does lead to role confusion (Kroger & Marcia, 2011). The adolescent has not established what they want to be when they grow up. Specifically, role confusion entails a person, not sure about their place in society or even themselves. While responding to the role confusion, the adolescent starts to experiment with various lifestyles such as education, work, and other activities. Notably, pressuring someone with identity crisis can lead to a rebellion that can lead to he or she forming a negative identity. Additionally, the confusion and
There are many different diagnosed disorders known to society, each disorder, with the many symptoms and side effects, serious in its own effect. Many disorders have symptoms that impact numerous areas of a person’s life and cause distress for the one suffering from these symptoms. All disorders are something that people are naturally born with and must learn to manage during life. Among these disorders is Gender Identity Disorder. Gender is a term used in discussing the different roles, identities, and expectations that our society associates with males and females. Gender identity shapes how we think and influences our behaviors. Most people identify their gender with the biological sex determined by genitalia; however, some experience discrepancy between biological sex and the feeling of being born as the wrong gender. According to American Accreditation Health Care Commission, gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person's physical gender and the gender he or she identifies with (Health Central). In “Gender Identity Disorder : A Misunderstood, Diagnosis” Kristopher J. Cook says, “Gender identity disorder denotes a strong and persistent desire to be of the other sex (or the insistence that one is of the other sex), together with persistent discomfort about one’s own sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the role assigned to one’s own sex.” (DOCUMENT) As with any disorder, there are many hardships for those that are struggling with Gender Identity Disorder, also known as GID. Many who have this disorder often find themselves battling depression due to insecurities with who they are and the unacceptance from society. This depression will often lead to suicide attempts and some, unfortunately, succeed. A Truth ma...
Uncertainty and changeability has become more and more acceptable in many cultures. Not only has the public eye changed on how transgender individuals are viewed but the government has too. “THANKS to Caitlyn Jenner, and the military’s changing policies, transgender people are gaining acceptance — and living in a bigger, more understanding spotlight than at any previous time” (Friedman). Individuals are beginning to identify with genders other than their own, based on the internal and external factors of society, though usually “a person generally has a key sense of this identity from early childhood” (Lind). Today’s society blurs the line between male and female, and to the corresponding sexuality.