Running head: SEXUAL MINORITY CLIENTS
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Sexual Minority Clients
Richard Coleman
Liberty University
November 1, 2014
SEXUAL MINORITY CLIENTS
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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to summarize and discuss the literature learned in Sander’s,
Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for psychologist, therapist and pastors (2013). In this
chapter, ethics and religious views were challenged and reflected by clients that were receiving
counseling for being a sexual minority. The chapter explains how working with sexual minority
clients could be an ethical concern to Christian counselors and how it could be difficult to
counsel a client with different ethical views. This chapter also elaborates on the proper ways to
ensure that counselors are treating sexual minority clients with the proper treatment to ensure
they are counseling effectively. This chapter also elaborated on the necessary qualities and
competence required to properly counsel sexual minority clients. There were many interesting
points that Sanders discussed in this chapter that could likely be effective even when working
with diverse populations.
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Summary
This chapter was focused on the treatments of those who are dealing with same-sex
attractions or a homosexual orientation, people who are unraveling sexual identity questions or
struggles (Sanders, 2013). The chapter discusses in detail on the reasons why people are branded
sexual minorities and entails that most seek out professional assistance for concerns geared
around mood disorders, anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and interpersonal conflicts
instead of treatments for change of orientation or sexual identity conflicts. These kinds of
conflicts can give Christian counselors a difficult time when concerning their ethics due to the
morals and values in the counselor’s religion and faith possibly causing a negative effect on the
client (Sanders, 2013). Counselors have to be careful that they are properly operating at their
competency level and ensuring that that they are knowledgeable of treatment strategies available
to those who are looking for help with their homosexual orientation. According to Sanders
(2013), Christian counselors are encouraged to think about and take action to relevant ethical
principles, mainly those pertaining to competence, integrity and the overall respect for the clients
well being (p.262).
Competency is a key component for a counselor that benefits the client to avoid any harm
to them, providing the best treatment for their situation (Sanders, 2013). It is imperative that
counselors are educated on the basic background history of homosexuality so that they are able
to offer the appropriate support without letting their own morals come in between their practices.
Counselors must be aware of overstepping their boundaries and forcing their beliefs on client’s
when dealing with sexual minority concerns, because not all sexual minorities are seeking
counseling to change their sexual orientation (Sanders, 2013). Some sexual minority clients are
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seeking help to process their feelings and concerns that they have in their life. Christian
counselors are advised to develop an awareness of the prevalence and etiology of sexual
minorities, other mental health professionals and whether sexual preference can change (Sanders,
2013). These are key factors that a sexual minority client would need to be knowledgeable of to
ensure that they understand the counseling process. Competence goes a long way with
counselors, because it confirms that the counselor is providing services with the proper integrity
to avoid their clients from any harmful practices.
Integrity is a key component that counselor’s must operate with to ensure the client’s
overall well being (2013). Christian counselors should have the client’s well being in mind
especially working with a sexual minority clients to ensure them of the goal of benefitting from
treatment and avoid putting them in harm’s way. This is why counselors need to explore multiple
options available for their clients and review it with them so that they understand that there are
no guaranteed results to changing their homosexuality. This could avoid sexual minority client’s
coming into treatment with high expectations of changing and leaving out of counseling with no
positive results. This could lead clients to a deeper depression and possibly entice danger or harm
to others or themselves.
According to Sanders (2013), “The best way to ensure a sense of autonomy and self-
determination in our clients is through informed consent (p. 268). Clients are entitled to be
knowledgeable and consider all options with counselor to make the best decision that best fits
their situation. This ensures that clients are prepared for outcomes and have a better
understanding of the treatment process and their possible results. It is crucial that counselors are
to obtain written informed consent to educate their clients on causes of homosexuality,
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professional treatments available, paraprofessional ministry options, risks and benefits to
treatments and potential outcomes to various treatments (Sanders, 2013).
Reflect
This was a very interesting and eye opening chapter to me especially with concerning the
ethical and controversial issues when dealing with sexual minority clients. An interesting subject
for me was for a Christian counselor to face these challenging cases with sexual minorities,
where their ethical and moral standards are challenged. I agree with Sanders (2013) when it
comes to competency and understanding the client for who they are. This enables counselors to
give the proper support and compassion to their clients even if they do not agree with their
lifestyles or behaviors. Though competency is a key factor in dealing with sexual minority
clients, there were some differences when reading about re-orientation therapy.
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This was a very attention-grabbing chapter to me and touched on many interesting factors
in dealing with sexual minority clients. As a current counselor, I have never had to deal with any
sexual minority clients but was interested in the ethical dilemmas that Christian counselors face
when battling with their own moral standards and beliefs. I concur with Sanders, when it comes
to competency and understanding the client for who they are. This is being able to give support
and compassion to your client even if you don’t agree with the client’s lifestyles, behaviors or
attitudes. Though I agree with having competence while dealing with clients, there was a
controversy that I had faced during my reading about re-orientation therapy.
Re-orientation therapy was referred to as “conversion therapy” as if clients were being
converted into a religious sanction when this program is geared to changing sexual orientation to
homosexual to heterosexual. According to Sanders (2013), “There is a disagreement about
whether the orientation can change, if change occurs at all but categorically change is much less
likely. This method of re-orientation seems to be less intensive and overall a possible waste of a
person’s money. This treatment is not guaranteed and suggests that counselors who practice
reorientation have previous training, but no approved training in this field area exist. I find it
ironic that a counselor has to be certified or have previous experience in the practice of dealing
with homosexuality and same sex attractions, but there is no measurable outcome to prove that it
is effective. I feel that this is harmful to some clients that suffer other mental illness such as
depression and poor self-esteem because it could possibly do them more harm if they are not
SEXUAL MINORITY CLIENTS
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successful. I agree with Sanders on how it could be difficult for Christian counselors to not
incorporate their religious beliefs to assist homosexuality.
In the readings, Sanders discussed how a counselor’s ethics could feel compromised
when dealing with same sex attractions if the counselor feels that they are at risk of causing
further harm. This is when clients are referred to another experienced counselor that can better
assist without any ethical issues being crossed. This seems pretty unfair to the client, it seems
that they are going through enough isolation issues, let alone paying for consultations and
therapy treatments. It just seems that there needs to be more tests and research done on sexual
minorities to assist with the appropriate results.
Act
After reading this chapter, it has made me want to become more knowledgeable of the
reasons for homosexuality and individuals with the same sex attractions. In learning the
numerous types of treatments and therapeutic procedures, it has made me want to become more
competent in learning the history and root sources of sexual minorities so that I could be
equipped if ever faced in the situation. I want to ensure that if I do encounter a client that is
homosexual, that I am well trained and educated on the background information so that I can
give informal and factual recommendations. I would have to work on putting my faith and
personal beliefs on the backburner so that I could accommodate the feelings and autonomy of the
client.
I will utilize the ethical principles that assist Christian counselors on basing their
decisions in a non-judgmental manner, especially those concerning for others’ welfare and to
critically evaluate my capacity to work effectively with sexual minorities that may reach out for
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help. I do not want to be the counselor that hands a sexual minority client off for a referral
because I cannot handle the ethical dilemma that challenges me. I know that God has made us all
different and I can respect the fact that we are all different in our own ways. We all need
guidance, because Christians talk to God all the time for encouragement and confirmation. We do
not want God to view us any way that it judgmental, so we must treat others the same way
regardless of our differences in lifestyles, opinions and theories.
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References:
Sanders, R.K. (2013) Christian counseling ethics: A handbook for psychologists,
therapists and pastors. Second edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
REACTION PAPER GRADING RUBRIC
Student:
Criteria
Points
Possible
Points
Earned
Instructor’s Comments
Title Page
•
Page header (in all upper-case letters)
flush left and the page number flush
right, both at the top of the page
•
Title summarizes main idea of paper
•
Title in upper-case and lower-case
letters, centered in the upper half of the
page
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Title less than 12 words
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Author’s name: first name, middle
initial(s), last name (no titles or degrees)
•
Institutional affiliation
5
3
Abstract
•
Provides brief, comprehensive summary
of contents
•
150–250 words
•
Single paragraph/no indentation
•
Centered, in upper-case and lower-case
letters
5
0
absent
Content: Summarize
•
Provides a clear overview of the material
•
1–2 pages
15
14
Content: Reflect
•
Clearly articulates insight and meaning
made from article
•
1–2 pages
15
13
Content: Act
•
Specifies actions or changes that will be
15
15
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taken as a result of this information
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1–2 pages.
Format of Paper
•
Paper formatted in current APA style,
including:
o Double-spaced
o 1-inch margins on all sides
o 12-pt. Times New Roman font
o Page header (also known as the
“running head”) at the top of each
page, flush left, in all upper-case letters
o Page number at the top of each page,
flush right
o Appropriate headings
5
4
Criteria
Points
Possible
Points
Earned
Instructor’s Comments
Grammar
•
Correct spelling and grammar used
effectively
•
Sentences well-phrased and varied
•
Sentences smoothly connected, logically
constructed, and include effective
wording
•
Absence of comma splices, run-on
sentences, fragments, etc.
5
5
Professional Writing Style
•
Clear, focused, engaging style
•
Clear transitions between paragraphs
•
Well-organized
•
Direct language
•
Easily readable; appropriate voice, tone,
and style for assignment
5
3
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References
•
The assignment contains a reference
page free of errors.
•
References are from professional sources
(Professional journals, and professional
texts; no informal web-sites) and are
cited on the reference page and in the
body of the paper.
•
Citations present in body of paper for
each paraphrase.
•
Correct format of in-text citations
10
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Total
80
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