Would it be reasonable to include an openly gay therapist in a practice that regularly accepts referrals from faith-based organizations? Would it be reasonable to include a therapist who specialized in services for gay and lesbian clients in a practice group that regularly accepts referrals from faith-based organizations?

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

This decision should be based on the type of faith-based organization referring clients to the practice, the particular organizational structure of the practice, and the personal and professional values of the professionals involved. Some faith-based organizations or referral sources within the faith community may prefer not to send clients to a practice that includes an openly gay therapist (or that has a therapist who specializes in providing services to gay and lesbian persons; see Question #7). An example of this was the experience Debra had with her employer at New Directions. For social work organizations, such discrimination is in violation of the NASW Code of Ethics and the obligation for cultural competence. Some faith-based organizations or referral sources may have no concern or issue with this practice arrangement, depending upon the doctrines and practices of the particular faiths involved. Interpretations may depend on the structure of the practice group. If it were a formal organization, both functionally and legally, referral sources may view the practice of each individual as representative of and sanctioned by the group. A loose, informal practice group, such as a group of professionals who shared an office and a billing service or administrative assistant, may be able to maintain a greater degree of independent identity in the eyes of the public. Again, the interpretation of the degree to which the practice of a single professional represented the group would largely depend upon the values, beliefs, and doctrines of the referral source. For some, the lack of formality of the organizational structure may have no bearing on the acceptability of the practice of an individual professional. The values of the professionals within the practice group may result in a consensus that they were willing to accept the risk of a loss of clientele in order to give priority to policies that valued diversity, inclusion, and self-determination and took an affirmative stance toward homosexuality.