How may Stephanie respond to Debra’s self-disclosure of homosexual orientation? How might some clients react when they learn their therapist or counselor is a homosexual person?

Question

Debra Masters, a social worker in private practice, conducted an initial interview with Stephanie Railsback, a young woman also working in the helping professions, who was conflicted about her sexual orientation. Debra was a lesbian herself, open, but discreetly so. As the interview proceeded Debra was increasingly distracted by the question of whether she should disclose her sexual orientation to this client and, if so, when. Her anxiety intensified to such a degree that she had to leave the interview to compose herself and decide what to do to resolve this dilemma.

Answer 1

Peterson (2002) argues that the client’s interpretation of the therapist’s disclosure is mostly a function of whether the client sees the disclosure as beneficent or exploitive. Each client’s reaction is unique as each assigns their own meanings to such a disclosure and each client interprets it based on their personality, past experiences, and current circumstances. Some clients may exhibit an extremely negative reaction such as disgust or contempt. Some may believe that homosexuality is an abomination before God and may state there is nothing else to discuss. On the other hand, Schloemer (2000) states that gay clients may be seeking a “gay-friendly” therapist who they believe is knowledgeable and presents himself or herself with honesty and ethical integrity. Most clients’ reactions will fall somewhere between these two examples, often keeping their reactions to themselves. The therapist will then need to actively monitor nonverbal and process cues for the impact of such a disclosure. In this case, Stephanie’s reaction may be particularly conflicted because of the issues she brings to treatment.