Family Counseling and Referral with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Clients: Ethical Considerations

Abstract

Couple, marriage, and family counselors face unique ethical and practice challenges in their dual commitment to the positive growth and integrity of both the individual and the family system. These challenges may become acute when working with stigmatized and oppressed populations such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons and their families. A brief case vignette illustrates a range of ethical issues for couple and family counselors working with this client population.

Conversion Therapy: Ethical Considerations in Family Counseling

“…You do not believe that it would be in the best interest of your clients, and in fact could be harmful, to refer them to another counselor at this time. The introduction of GLBT issues followed by an immediate referral could reinforce the bias and prejudice of the dominant culture concerning sexual minorities and send harmful messages to this family (Janson, 2002).…”

Family Counseling and Ethical Challenges with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) Clients: More Questions than Answers

“…Understanding these commonly believed myths and keeping abreast of the latest research in both family therapy and sexuality is a necessity for ethical practice (International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors [IAMFC], 2001, Section III.B, Section III.G). The obligations to maintain a knowledge base that is current, obtain appropriate supervision, and seek out peer review must all be integrated with the counselor's awareness of personal and societal biases and values that may further impact the counseling process with GLBT persons and their families (Janson, 2002).…”

“…The couples and family counselor who is counseling Edward and his family must not only be prepared to handle the diversity and conflicts inherent in Edward's situation in an affirming manner (IAMFC, 2001, Section I.B), but he or she must also facilitate the creation of new family rules, boundaries, and rituals. This is uncharted territory that may be ambiguous and uncertain for both counselors and clients, territory that cannot be negotiated using heterosexual models of family and relationship (Janson, 2002). Aspirational ethics, which strives for the highest level of practice, requires counselors to possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to help clients and their families to anticipate complex and difficult questions and issues.…”