On Becoming Allies: A Qualitative Study of Lesbian‐, Gay‐, and Bisexual‐Affirmative Counselor Training

Abstract

The authors present a qualitative analysis of a process by which a research team of counselors-in-training confronted their heterosexist biases while investigating heterosexual attitudes toward sexual minorities. Members of the research team discovered that it was essential to reflect on and evaluate their attitudes. assumptions. and biases before they could conduct scientific research about affirmative attitudes toward lesbian. gay male. and bisexual male and female individuals. Self-reflective narratives written by each research team member were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methodology. Results yielded 10 general categories or themes. Implications for counseling theory, training. and future research are discussed.An estimated 5 to 25 million people in the United States self-Identify as lesbian, gay. or bisexual (LGB; Gelberg & Chojnacki, 1995). Although the members of the LGB population are not a visible minority, they are still treated differently than are members of the majority, heterosexual population.LGB individuals experience oppression on a variety of levels because of their sexual identity/orientation. LGB individuals' daily experiences differ from those of the heterosexual majority in numerous ways, including but not limited to a lack of fundamental civil rights. discrimination. rejection or ostracism by family of origin. societal censure, physical violence. and objectification by campaigns of defamation and hatred (Perez. Defsord, & Bieschke, 2000).Recent efforts in the counseling field demonstrate that there is a dedication to affirmative practice and training regarding counseling for (or providing services to) LGB individuals (Bieschke. Eberz, Bard, & Croteau. 1998;Bowman. 2003;Croteau, Bieschke, Philips. & Lark. 1998; Fasstnger, 1991;Phillips & Fisher. 1998;Phillips, Ingram. Smith, & Mindes, 2003). Yet, many counseling graduate students feel inadequately trained to work with LGB clients (Bieschke et aI., 1998;Croteau et al., 1998 There are potential consequences to the low levels of training regarding LGB issues. Counselors may exhibit heterosexist biases in their work with and attitudes toward LGB individuals (Rudolph. 1988(Rudolph. . 1990).LGB clients have reported being dissatisfied with their counseling experiences because of incorrect assumptions and blatant biases on the part of their counselors. Examples of these biases include automatically assuming that a client is heterosexual before he or she indicates his or her sexual orientation. not recognizing the problems of social prejudice against gay men and lesbians and/or internalized homophobia. and lacking the basic knowledge ofLGB issues necessary to be an effective counselor (Garnets. Hancock. Cochran. Goodchllds, & Peplau, 1991;Glenn & Russell. 1986; Graham. Rawlings. Halpern. & Hermes. 1984;Liddle, 1996;Rudolph. 1988Rudolph. . 1990). These findings indicate a critical need to increase the number of heterosexual allies and mentors in the counseling field (Lark & Croteau. 1998). An investigation of how heterosexual coun...

Development of Heterosexuals into Sexual-Minority Allies: A Qualitative Exploration

“…Several of the participants reported that they knew other heterosexuals whose fears became a barrier to activism. Dillon et al (2004) also found this theme among their sample of heterosexual LGB-affirmative counselors and labeled it homophobic self-consciousness. This fear of being gay by association may constitute a significant barrier that prevents heterosexuals from connecting and building social-justice alliances with sexual minorities.…”

“…Another study (Dillon et al 2004) used consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR; Hill et al 1997) to examine the development of ten heterosexual counselor allies. These ten counselors-in-training volunteered to participate in a yearlong research team focused on understanding heterosexual attitudes toward sexual minorities.…”

“…We extend previous research by focusing on a community sample of heterosexual allies that were nominated by leaders of the LGBT community in a small city. Building on the methodological strength of the Dillon et al (2004) study, we used CQR methodology to explicate the core dimensions of heterosexual ally development. Our specific aim was to explore the potential role of LGBT activism in the development of these heterosexual ally exemplars.…”

“…Although important conceptual work has helped formulate heterosexual identity models (described subsequently), only a handful of studies have systematically examined the development of heterosexual allies. Those few studies (e.g., Broido 2000a; Dillon et al 2004) have focused on convenience samples in university settings. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to contribute to the conceptual and empirical knowledge base on heterosexual ally development by analyzing in-depth interview data from a sample of exemplar heterosexual allies nominated by LGBT community members for their social-justice activism.…”

Volume 6 Issue 1 Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

“…However, research indicated that LGBT clients who engaged in counseling often report being dissatisfied with the experience (Grove, 2009;O'Neill, 2002). Furthermore, the literature showed that both counselors in-training and counselors in the field reported a lack of dedication to affirmative practice and training from their counselor education programs and an overall lack of competence regarding working with LGBT clients (Dillon, Worthington, Savoy, Rooney, Becker-Schutte, & Guerra, 2004;Farmer, 2011;Matthews, 2005).…”