Sexual orientation microaggressions: The experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer clients in psychotherapy.

Abstract

Psychological research has shown the detrimental effects that overt heterosexism have on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) clients and on the psychotherapeutic relationship. However, the effects of subtle forms of discrimination, specifically sexual orientation microaggressions, have on LGBQ clients and the therapeutic relationship have not been addressed. This study used qualitative methodology to explore the phenomenon of sexual orientation microaggressions with 16 self-identified LGBQ psychotherapy clients. Results of this study support the existence of sexual orientation microaggressions within the therapeutic environment and provide a descriptive account of 7 sexual orientation microaggression themes, channels of microaggression communication, and the impact microaggressions have on therapy and clients.

Contextualising family microaggressions and strategies of resilience among young gay and bisexual men of Latino heritage

“…Similarly to findings from previous research (Nadal, Issa, et al 2011, Nadal, Wong, et al 2011, Shelton and Delgado-Romero 2013, Ryan et al 2009), the family appeared to be the primary source of microaggressions. The interviewers inquired and probed about experiences of prejudices in all aspects of the participants lives, though most instances of microaggressions occurred at home.…”

“…For this reason, a growing body of research is exploring how indirect forms of discrimination in the form of sexual orientation microaggressions, affect psychological and social adjustment in sexual minorities (Sarno and Wright 2013, Wright and Wegner 2012, Nadal et al 2014, Platt and Lenzen 2013, Shelton and Delgado-Romero 2013, Nadal, Issa, et al 2011, Nadal, Wong, et al 2011). Microagressions include three subtypes: (1) microassaults are derogations in the form of language or ostracising behaviour, sometimes construed as unintentional; (2) microinsults are communications that indirectly demean; and (3) microinvalidations are communications that unintentionally exclude or negate one's identity or experiences (Sue et al 2007).…”

Internalized Homonegativity and the Double Bind for Lesbians: Those with Higher Need Perceive More Barriers to Mental Health Treatment

“…Through focus groups, the authors collected examples of experiences that happened in a treatment context and then categorized the microaggressions into several groups. They reported the following themes, some of which overlap with those articulated by Pachankis and Goldfried (2013): assumption that sexual orientation is the cause of all presenting issues, avoidance and minimizing of sexual orientation, attempts to overidentify with the client, making stereotypical assumptions, expressions of heteronormative bias, assumption of treatment need, and warnings about the dangers of identifying as a sexual minority (Shelton & Delgado-Romero, 2013). Importantly, the presence of these microaggressions was also noted to have a negative influence on the counseling process.…”

“…Indeed, exposure to heterosexist events was a common theme noted in the literature pertaining to IH and mental health described in this article, substantiating a link between them. Shelton and Delgado-Romero (2013) applied this model to the experiences of sexual minority clients to clarify how microaggressions might occur within the course of counseling and become treatment barriers. Through focus groups, the authors collected examples of experiences that happened in a treatment context and then categorized the microaggressions into several groups.…”

A Cross-Sectional Examination of International Competency Standards

“…Since cultural insensitivity can often have detrimental effects on therapy processes and outcomes (Owen, Imel, Tao, Wampold, Smith, & Rodolfa, 2011;Owen, Tao, Imel, Wampold, & Rodolfa, 2014;Shelton & Delgado-Romero, 2013), the lack of standards requiring multicultural sensitivity as a part of competent practice is alarming. Given the diverse identities worldwide, including but not limited to, race/ethnicity, ability status, religion, sexual orientation, and gender, the development of cultural awareness among psychologists is crucial in order to meet the needs of the public without marginalizing historically oppressed identities.…”