# data[].attributes.body
These are the friends that became close like family.

# data[].attributes.body
Working ethically with LGBTQ clients

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Working ethically with sexual and gender minority clients requires cultural competence. While this column attempts to address some specific ethical issues, clinicians are advised to seek training and supervision and to develop relationships with LGBTQ people outside of the office to continue to develop cultural competence.

It is also important to recognize that there are significant clinical differences between working with LGBTQ kids, teens, adults and seniors.

Most importantly, while LGBTQ is often used as an umbrella term, bisexual and transgender or gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals often experience stigma from within the lesbian and gay community, which can be especially painful and further isolating.

Lastly, despite the LGBTQ acronym, working with TGNC individuals requires separate training and competence than simply working with gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer clients.

By now, everyone should know that sexual orientation change efforts are considered harmful and ineffective. A number of states have bans on such "treatment," and most mental health organizations have made strong statements that same-sex feelings, attractions and behaviors are normal and that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of interventions to change a person's sexual orientation.

Many clinicians working with sexual orientation and gender identity make the mistake of assuming sexuality and gender are binary constructs. These clinicians may assume that "coming out" means someone is on the path to becoming gay or lesbian, and they fail to recognize bisexuality or pansexuality (an attraction and interest to partners along the gender spectrum) as valid, lasting orientations.

Similarly, clinicians may assume someone seeking help with gender identity issues is transitioning from male to female or vice versa, instead of possibly landing in a non-binary place of identifying as genderfluid or genderqueer, equally valid gender identities. It is easy to see how a clinician working from a binary model could unwittingly complicate someone's treatment, particularly if the client is just beginning to explore these themes and also shares the assumption that they must land on only either end of the spectrum.

Monitoring countertransference about sexual content, fantasies and behaviors is another way to practice ethically with sexual and gender minority clients. People seeking help for sexual or gender identity issues need safe spaces to talk about their bodies, their attractions and sometimes their sexual experiences with others, which may feel confusing, frightening or affirming and exciting.

Clinicians who feel strong judgment or repulsion or arousal should have a place to consult with others about such reactions so that they do not interfere with the therapy. Some clients may present with other sexual interests that are foreign to a clinician, and if the topic of sexuality is already on the table, these clients may be more likely to share information about multiple partners, using sex toys or engaging in BDSM play with partners.

Developing a working knowledge and seeking consultation on such issues may be an essential part of doing ethical work with a client. Of course, not all LGBTQ clients have these interests, and some may also present with low sex drives or low sexual interest.

Understanding a client's stage of coming out and recognizing their resources is essential. Who are they out to? And who are their allies? What are their relationships like with friends, family, romantic partners, work colleagues and the broader community?

An important piece of work can be helping a client to connect to online and offline LGBTQ communities for support. Groups like COLAGE can be helpful for children of lesbian and gay individuals, and other groups like PFLAG may help kids come out to their parents. The Straight Spouse network can also help when a husband or wife comes out within a marriage.

Other important factors to consider are other cultural variables and whether the client also has support about intersecting identities (race, ethnicity, religion, disability etc.) A strong awareness of minority stress and the microaggressions clients face and not enacting them in treatment is crucial.

Those seeking more information should note that APA offers guidelines for working with gay, lesbian and bi-sexual clients ( http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/guidelines.aspx) and provides guidelines for working with TGNC people. ( https://www.apa.org/ practice/guidelines/transgender.pdf )

Those seeking further information on working with TGNC individuals also may find the World Professionals Association for Transgender Health to be an extremely valuable resource. ( http://wpath.org/)

Keely Kolmes, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist with a practice in the San Francisco area. She is co-author with Edward L. Zuckerman, Ph.D., of The Paper Office for the Digital Age. Her email is drkkolmes@gmail.com.

To learn more about this topic or to get these articles delivered to your
office every other month, subscribe today!.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ethics for Psychologists: Working ethically with LGBTQ clients

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working ethically with sexual and gender minority clients requires cultural competence. While this column attempts to address some specific ethical issues, clinicians are advised to seek training and supervision and to develop relationships with LGBTQ people outside of the office to continue to develop cultural competence.

# data[].attributes.body
Ethics, to me, means operating with a code of integrity and respect for others in your environment,like a code of conduct. It may be argued that morality plays a part in ethics. I believe ethics can be learned and affected a bit more than morals can. We are given morals and views by our family and systems we are a part of. However, ethics is something that is taught and more or less adopted in a bit more of a professional sense.

I think of ethics as a code of conduct for an organization or field. For instance in law, its unethical to discuss case details or post about them on social media. However, it is ethical to partake in client-attorney privilege to discuss the details of a case.

When I think of ethics I lean to the synonym of laws or bylaws for a field. In order to be an ethical leader, you must have an understanding of ethics and a sensitivity to others that are different from you. I believe holding yourself to a higher standard as a leader first paves the way for others to follow in the footsteps.

# data[].attributes.body
Cologne too...Okay?!?!? I like to shop...dang!!!

# data[].attributes.body
Listen, Im going to tell you this: I have a sneaker weakness.

# data[].attributes.body
Pilsen Taco festival

# data[].attributes.body
I believe Human Development: Working with Adults track will serve as a sturdy foundation and ultimately will lead me on my path to Counseling Psychology or Therapy. I am excited to work with my classmates and professor to see what I can learn from you all.

# data[].attributes.body
I completed my Associate's degree at the Truman College, part of the Chicago City Colleges.

Education, efficient work and study habits along with personal development have been core values instilled in me by my parents and family culture. Independence is another part of that value set. All of these things I feel are visible in my persona. I have had to do a lot of things alone and blaze trails so that independence muscle has had some time to become very developed.

# data[].attributes.body
I work in higher education administration and have been in the field for the past four years. Earlier this year I was promoted from Assistant Director to Director of Operations. (YAY!!)

My experience in Human Development is geared more toward working with older adults. My concentration is working with adults, so I believe that’s an applicable discipline to pursue. I plan to take it to the next level, educationally in the years following the completion of this degree.

# data[].attributes.body
I like to hang with friends in my spare time, shop here and there, play video games (PS4)and expand my horizons with new food (cooking and eating) and visiting new places.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Stephen and I am 35 years old. I have been attending classes at Pacific Oaks Online class and I am nearing the last few classes of my undergraduate career.  I live in Chicago (South Side) and have been living in Chicago for the past ten years.

I have an amazing support system that consists of family, friends and an amazing partner that has been with me on my journey through mi vida loca!!!

# data[].attributes.body
ICYMI: My Favorite colour is blue and I love stars (all my tattoos are star themed)