HW 13

1. I have received adequate clinical training and supervision to counsel lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. S

2. The lifestyle of a LGB client is unnatural or immoral. (A)

3. I check up on my LGB counseling skills by monitoring my functioning/competency via consultation, supervision, and continuing education. S

4. I have experience counseling gay male clients. S

5. LGB clients receive “less preferred” forms of counseling treatment than heterosexual clients. K

6. At this point in my professional development, I feel competent, skilled, and qualified to counsel LGB clients. S

7. I have experience counseling lesbian or gay couples. S

8. I have experience counseling lesbian clients. S

9. I am aware some research indicates that LGB clients are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illnesses than are heterosexual clients. K

10. It’s obvious that a same sex relationship between two men or two women is not as strong or as committed as one between a man and a woman. (A)

11. I believe that being highly discreet about their sexual orientation is a trait that LGB clients should work towards. (A)

12. I have been to in-services, conference sessions, or workshops, which focused on LGB issues in psychology. S

13. Heterosexist and prejudicial concepts have permeated the mental health professions. K

14. I feel competent to assess the mental health needs of a person who is LGB in a therapeutic setting. S

15. I believe that LGB couples don’t need special rights (domestic partner benefits, or the right to marry) because that would undermine normal and traditional family values. (A)

16. There are different psychological/social issues impacting gay men versus lesbian women. K

17. It would be best if my clients viewed a heterosexual lifestyle as ideal. (A)

18. I have experience counseling bisexual (male or female) clients. S

19. I am aware of institutional barriers that may inhibit LGB people from using mental health services. K

20. I am aware that counselors frequently impose their values concerning sexuality upon LGB clients. K

21. I think that my clients should accept some degree of conformity to traditional sexual values. (A)

22. Currently, I do not have the skills or training to do a case presentation or consultation if my client were LGB. (S)

23. I believe that LGB clients will benefit most from counseling with a heterosexual counselor who endorses conventional values and norms. (A)

24. Being born a heterosexual person in this society carries with it certain advantages. K

25. I feel that sexual orientation differences between counselor and client may serve as an initial barrier to effective counseling of LGB individuals. K

26. I have done a counseling role-play as either the client or counselor involving a LGB issue. S

27. Personally, I think homosexuality is a mental disorder or a sin and can be treated through counseling or spiritual help. (A)

28. I believe that all LGB clients must be discreet about their sexual orientation around children. (A)

29. When it comes to homosexuality, I agree with the statement: “You should love the sinner but hate or condemn the sin.” (A)

Note: The Attitudes items are designated by the letter A after each item, Skills items are designated by the letter S after each item, and Knowledge items are designated by the letter K after each item. Letters in parentheses indicate reverse scoring. It is suggested that the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale scores and each subscale score be calculated using the mean.