Buhrke
the focus of counseling. If the client is struggling with his or her sexual identity, sexual orientation issues are appropriate to address. If the client comes to counseling to learn to better communicate in his or her relationship, sexual orientation should not be the focus.
In a practicum, educators should provide trainees with sufficient background and knowledge about lesbian and gay issues so that the trainees' clients do not have to educate their counselors about lesbian and gay life-styles. After sensitizing themselves to any of their own homophobic biases, educators should provide background regarding the therapeutic issues involved in counseling lesbian women and gay men. Also important is for counselor educators-supervisors to monitor their students' lesbian and gay cases to watch for trainees' heterosexual biases, homophobia, or both. If such attitudes become apparent, the educator-supervisor should address these attitudes with the trainees, discuss the impact of them on the counseling process, and discuss the trainee's ethical responsibilities. Supervision should also address countertransference issues of attractions to clients, which may get in the way of therapy if not adequately dealt with. The following resources are available for providing background in the counseling of lesbian women and gay men:
Buhrke, R.A. (1988). Lesbian-related issues in counseling supervision. Women and Therapy, 8, 195–206.
Cayleff, S.E. (1986). Ethical issues in counseling gender, race, and culturally distinct groups. Journal of Counseling and Development, 64,
345-347.
Coleman, E. (1982). Changing approaches to the treatment of homosexuality: A review. In W. Paul, J.D. Weinrich, J.C. Gonsiorek, & M.E. Hotvedt (Eds.), Homosexuality: Social, psychological, and biological issues (pp. 81-88). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Coleman, E. (Ed.). (1987). Psychotherapy with homosexual men and women: Integrated identity approaches for clinical practice. New York: Haworth. Gartrell, N. (1984). Combating homophobia in the psychotherapy of lesbians. Women and Therapy, 3, 13-29.
Gonsiorek, J.C. (Ed.). (1982). Homosexuality and psychotherapy: A practitioner's handbook of affirmative models. New York: Haworth. Hencken, J.D. (1982). Homosexuality and psychoanalysis: Toward a mutual understanding. In W. Paul, J.D. Weinrich, J.C. Gonsiorek, & M.E. Hotvedt (Eds.), Homosexuality: Social, psychological, and biological issues (pp. 121-147). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Martin, A. (1982). Some issues in the treatment of gay and lesbian patients. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 19, 341–348. Moses, A.E., & Hawkins, R.0., Jr. (1982). Counseling lesbian women and gay men: A life issues approach. St. Louis: C.V. Mosby.
Riddle, D.I., & Sang, B. (1978). Psychotherapy with lesbians. Journal of Social Issues, 34, 84-100.
Sophie, J. (1982). Counseling lesbians. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 60, 341-345.
Stein, T.S., & Cohen, C. (Eds.). (1986). Contemporary perspectives on psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men. New York: Plenum. Woodman, N.J., & Lenna, H.R. (1980). Counseling with gay men and women. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
PERSONALITY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Along with traditional developmental issues, counselor educators should present information on the development of a lesbian or gay identity and the "coming out" process. Coming out refers to the acknowledgment to self and/or others that one is a lesbian woman or gay man. It is a process about which much has been written. Resources on the coming out process include the following:
Beane, J. (1981). "I'd rather be dead than gay": Counseling gay men who are coming out. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 59, 222-226. Berzon, B. (1979). Developing a positive gay identity. In B. Berzon & R. Leighton (Eds.), Positively gay (pp. 1-14). Millbrae, CA: Celestial Arts.
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Cass, V.C. (1979). Homosexual identity formation: A theoretical model. Journal of Homosexuality, 4, 219-235.
Cass, V.C. (1984). Homosexual identity: A concept in need of definition. Journal of Homosexuality, 9, 105-126.
Coleman, E. (1982). Developmental stages of the coming out process. Journal of Homosexuality, 8, 31-43.
de Monteflores, C., & Schultz, S.J. (1978). Coming out: Similarities and differences for lesbians and gay men. Journal of Social Issues, 34, 59-72. Minton, H.L., & McDonald, G.J. (1983/1984). Homosexual identity formation as a developmental process. Journal of Homosexuality, 9, 91-104.
A second way in which lesbian and gay issues should be incorporated into personality and human development courses is to present information regarding lesbian women and gay men across the life span. Much of the writing on lesbian and gay issues focuses on young adults and middle-aged adults. When examining development across the life span, information regarding lesbian and gay issues for younger as well as older people should be included. Resources include the following:
Adelman, M. (Ed.). (1986). Long time passing: Lives of older lesbians. Boston: Alyson.
Alyson, S. (Ed.). (1980). Young, gay, and proud! Boston: Alyson. Berger, R.M. (1982). The unseen minority: Older gays and lesbians. Social Work, 27, 236-242.
Hetrick, E.S., & Martin, A.D. (1987). Developmental issues and their resolution for gay and lesbian adolescents. Journal of Homosexuality, 14, 25-43.
Kehoe, M. (1986). Lesbians over age 65: A triply invisible minority. Journal of Homosexuality, 12, 139-152.
Kimmel, D.C. (1978). Adult development and aging: A gay perspective. Journal of Social Issues, 34, 113-130.
Lucco, A.J. (1987). Planned retirement housing preferences of older homosexuals. Journal of Homosexuality, 14, 35-56.
MARRIAGE/FAMILY/COUPLES COUNSELING
Educators should include discussions of lesbian women and gay men in courses related to marriage, family, and/or couples counseling. Many lesbian women and gay men are involved in committed relationships. Some issues related to couples may be generic for all couples. There are also issues that arise specifically in lesbian or gay relationships or that arise in a different manner. For example, a lesbian couple may have to deal with conflict over one partner's desire to be more open about their relationship than the other would like. Or a gay man may find himself having to choose between spending a holiday with his family or with his life partner. Resources available for various aspects involved in working with lesbian and gay couples include the following:
Becker, C.S. (1988). Unbroken ties: Lesbian ex-lovers. Boston: Alyson. Berzon, B. (1988). Permanent partners: Building gay and lesbian relationships that last. New York: E.P. Dutton.
Clunis, D.M., & Green, G.D. (1988). Lesbian couples. Seattle: Seal. Decker, B. (1983/1984). Counseling gay and lesbian couples. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 2, 39-52.
McWhirter, D.P., & Mattison, A.M. (1984). Male couples: A study of how relationships develop. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Peplau, L.A., & Amaro, H. (1982). Understanding lesbian relationships. In W. Paul, J.D. Weinrich, J.C. Gonsiorek, & M.E. Hotvedt (Eds.), Homosexuality: Social, psychological, and biological issues (pp. 233-247). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Uhrig, L.J. (1984). The two of us: Affirming, celebrating, and symbolizing gay and lesbian relationships. Boston: Alyson. Winkelpleck, J.M., & Westfeld, J.S. (1982). Counseling considerations with gay couples. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 60, 294–296.
When discussing family issues, the counselor educator should include examples of lesbian and gay families as well as
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issues a family might face when learning that a family member is lesbian or gay. The following resources discuss various aspects of family relationships of lesbian and gay people, including disclosure and acceptance of lesbian and gay children and parents:
Borhek, M.V. (1983). Coming out to parents: A two-way survival guide for lesbians and gay men and their parents. New York: Pilgrim.
Clark, D. (1987). The new loving someone gay (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Cramer, D. (1986). Gay parents and their children: A review of research and practical implications. Journal of Counseling and Development, 64, 504-507. Fairchild, B., & Hayward, N. (1979). Now that you know: What every parent should know about homosexuality. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Hotvedt, M.E., & Mandel, J.B. (1982). Children of lesbian mothers. In W. Paul, J.D. Weinrich, J.C. Gonsiorek, & M.E. Hotvedt (Eds.), Homosexuality: Social, psychological, and biological issues (pp. 275-285). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Neisen, J.H. (1987). Resources for families with a gay/lesbian member. Journal of Homosexuality, 14, 239-251.
Rafkin, L. (Ed.) (1987). Different daughters. Pittsburgh: Cleis. Wirth, M. et al. (1986). Beyond acceptance: Parents of lesbians and gays talk about their experiences. New York: Prentice-Hall.
There are also a number of issues facing lesbian and gay parents, some of which are generic parenting issues and some of which are specific to lesbian women and gay men. For example, lesbian women and gay men may face child custody battles should their sexual orientations become known. Parenting issues are presented and discussed in the following works: Arditti, R., Klein, R.D., & Minden, S. (Eds.). (1984). Test-tube women: What future for motherhood? London: Pandora. Hall, M. (1978). Lesbian families: Cultural and clinical issues. Social Work, 23, 380-385.
Hanscombe, G. E., & Forster, J. (1982). Rocking the cradle: Lesbian mothers: A challenge in family living. Boston: Alyson. Hitchens, D. (1979/1980). Social attitudes, legal standards, and personal trauma in child custody cases. Journal of Homosexuality, 5, 89-96. Lewin, E., & Lyons, T.A. (1982). Everything in its place: The coexistence of lesbianism and motherhood. In W. Paul, J.D. Weinrich, J.C. Gonsiorek, & M.E. Hotvedt (Eds.), Homosexuality: Social, psychological, and biological issues (pp. 249-273). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Miller, J.A., Jacobsen, R.B., & Bigner, J.J. (1981). The child's home environment for lesbian vs. heterosexual mothers: A neglected area of research. Journal of Homosexuality, 7, 49–56. Schulenburg, J. (1985). Gay parenting: A complete guide for gay men and lesbians with children. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. Wolf, D.G. (1984). Lesbian childbirth and woman-controlled conception. In T. Darty & S. Potter (Eds.), Women-identified women (pp. 185-193). Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.
CAREER COUNSELING
Career counseling courses are another point at which lesbian and gay issues can be addressed. As in counseling theories courses, counselor educators should point out instances of heterosexual biases in career counseling theories. For example, in his theory of career decision making, Harren (1979) listed the developmental task interpersonal maturity. He defined it as intimacy with the opposite sex. Under this definition, lesbian women and gay men would not be described as interpersonally mature. Educators can discuss with counselor trainees the implications of being a lesbian woman or gay man on certain career aspirations. For example, openly gay people have encountered considerable difficulty in making a career in the military. Choosing to remain closeted about one's sexual orientation takes a great deal of energy and may make it difficult for lesbian and gay people to integrate work and nonwork parts of
Incorporating Lesbian and Gay Issues Into Counselor Training
their identities. The following resources address career counseling issues for lesbian women and gay men:
Eldridge, N.S. (1987). Correlates of relations satisfaction and role conflict in dual career lesbian couples. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Hedgpeth, J.M. (1979/1980). Employment discrimination and the rights of gay persons. Journal of Homosexuality, 5, 67-78. Hetherington, C., Hillerbrand, E., & Etringer, B.D. (1989). Career counseling with gay men: Issues and recommendations for research. Journal of Counseling and Development, 67, 452-454. Levine, M.P., & Leonard, R. (1984). Discrimination against lesbians in the work force. Signs, 9, 700-710.
Lynch, F.R. (1987). Non-ghetto gays: A sociological study of suburban homosexuals. Journal of Homosexuality, 14, 13-42. McCrary, J., & Gutierrez, L. (1979/1980). The homosexual person in the military and in national security employment. Journal of Homosexuality, 5, 115-146.
Olson, M.R. (1986). From closet to classroom: A perspective on gay and lesbian individuals in U.S. schools. Grand Forks, ND: University of North Dakota.
Olson, M.R. (1987). A study of gay and lesbian teachers. Journal of Homosexuality, 14, 73-81.
Schneider, B.E. (1984). Peril and promise: Lesbians' workplace participation. In T. Darty & S. Potter (Eds.), Women-identified women (pp. 211-230). Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.
Schneider, B.E. (1986). Coming out at work: Bridging the public/private gap. Work and Occupations, 13, 463-487.
For a more extensive review of dual career issues, see Cheryl Hetherington's article on page 52 in this issue.
MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING
There are at least two levels at which lesbian and gay issues can and should be addressed in multicultural counseling courses. Lesbian women and gay men should be included among the various minority groups identified and studied. In addition, historical events, the politics of the lesbian and gay movement, and the background of these groups should be presented in the same manner as one would present the history of slavery in the United States and the Civil Rights Movement. The following resources provide such information:
Atkinson, D.R., & Hackett, G. (1988). Counseling non-ethnic American minorities. Springfield, IL: Charles Ċ Thomas.
Berzon, B., & Leighton, R. (Eds.). (1979). Positively gay. Millbrae, CA: Celestial Arts.
Darty, T., & Potter, S. (Eds). (1984). Women-identified women. Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.
Goodman, G., Lakey, G., Lashof, J., & Thorne, E. (1983). No turning back: Lesbian and gay liberation for the '80s. Philadelphia: New Society. Katz, J. (1976). Gay American history: Lesbians and gay men in the U.S.A.: A documentary. New York: Avon.
Katz, J. (1983). Gay/lesbian almanac. New York: Harper & Row. Marotta, T. (1981). The politics of homosexuality. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Ross, M.W., Paulsen, J.A., & Stalstrom, O.W. (1988). Homosexuality and mental health: A cross-cultural review. Journal of Homosexuality, 15, 131-152.
When discussing other minority groups, counselor educators should remind trainees that gay and lesbian members of other minority groups are often faced with additional issues. They may find themselves having to make choices about which part of their identity to focus on. For example, a Black lesbian woman may find herself choosing among contributing her time, energy, and/or money to the Black movement, the lesbian and gay movement, or the women's movement. Or, she may feel that members of the Black community may not be as accepting, understanding, aware, tolerant, or interested in the issues of the lesbian and gay community. Some references addressing
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