Research
Christian Counselors and Affirmative Counseling of Lesbian and Gay Clients
Hannah B. Bayne,
Luke Harness,
Brianna Kane,
Myranda Warfield,
Corresponding Author
Hannah B. Bayne
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Hannah B. Bayne, Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida, 1215 Norman Hall, PO Box 117049, Gainesville, FL 32611 (email: hbayne@coe.ufl.edu).Search for more papers by this authorLuke Harness
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorBrianna Kane
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorMyranda Warfield
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorHannah B. Bayne,
Luke Harness,
Brianna Kane,
Myranda Warfield,
Corresponding Author
Hannah B. Bayne
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Hannah B. Bayne, Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida, 1215 Norman Hall, PO Box 117049, Gainesville, FL 32611 (email: hbayne@coe.ufl.edu).Search for more papers by this authorLuke Harness
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorBrianna Kane
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorMyranda Warfield
Department of Human Development and Organization Studies in Education, University of Florida
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
In this phenomenological study, we interviewed 12 counselors who identified as both religious and able to provide ethical and competent counseling to lesbian and gay clients. Participants discussed their lived experiences providing counseling. Our analysis revealed three primary themes: seeking congruence, responding to lesbian and gay clients, and cultivating competency. We discuss these findings and identify implications for counselor training and practice.
References
- Alessi, E. J., Dillon, F. R., & Kim, H. M. (2015). Determinants of lesbian and gay affirmative practice among heterosexual therapists. Psychotherapy, 52(3), 298–307. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0038580
- American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
- Barringer, M. N., Gay, D. A., & Lynxwiler, J. P. (2013). Gender, religiosity, spirituality, and attitudes toward homosexuality. Sociological Spectrum, 33, 240–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2013.732903
- Bayne, H. B. (2016). Helping gay and lesbian students integrate sexual and religious identities. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 61–75. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12031
- Bidell, M. P. (2014). Personal and professional discord: Examining religious conservatism and lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-affirmative counselor competence. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 170–179. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00145.x
- Borgman, A. L. (2009). LGB allies and Christian identity: A qualitative exploration of resolving conflicts and integrating identities. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(4), 508–520. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016691
- Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Sage.
- Fallon, K. M., Dobmeier, R. A., Reiner, S. M., Casquarelli, E. J., Giglia, L. A., & Goodwin, E. (2013). Reconciling spiritual values conflicts for counselors and lesbian and gay clients. Adultspan Journal, 12(1), 38–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0029.2013.00014.x
10.1002/j.2161-0029.2013.00014.x Google Scholar
- Farmer, L. B. (2017). An examination of counselors' religiosity, spirituality, and lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-affirmative counselor competence. The Professional Counselor, 7, 114–128. https://doi.org/10.15241/lbf.7.2.114
10.15241/lbf.7.2.114 Google Scholar
- Frame, M. W. (2003). Integrating religion and spirituality into counseling: A comprehensive approach. Brooks/Cole.
- Giordano, A. L., Bevly, C. M., Tucker, S., & Prosek, E. A. (2018). Psychological safety and appreciation of differences in counselor training programs: Examining religion, spirituality, and political beliefs. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96, 278–288. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12202
- Giordano, A. L., Prosek, E. A., & Lankford, C. T. (2014). Predicting empathy: The role of religion and spirituality. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research, 41(2), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/15566382.2014.12033938
10.1080/15566382.2014.12033938 Google Scholar
- Harper, A., Finnerty, P., Martinez, M., Brace, A., Crethar, H. C., Loos, B., Harper, B., Graham, S., Singh, A., Kocet, M., Travis, L., & Lambert, S. (2013). Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling competencies for counseling with lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex, and ally individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 7(1), 2–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2013.755444
10.1080/15538605.2013.755444 Google Scholar
- Hays, D. G., & Singh, A. A. (2012). Qualitative inquiry in clinical and educational settings. The Guilford Press.
- Hodge, D. R. (2005). Epistemological frameworks, homosexuality, and religion: How people of faith understand the intersection between homosexuality and religion. Social Work, 50(3), 207–218. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/50.3.207
- Hook, J. N., Davis, D., Owen, J., & DeBlaere, C. (2017). Navigating value differences and conflicts. In J. N. Hook, D. Davis, J. Owen, & C. DeBlaere, Cultural humility: Engaging diverse identities in therapy (pp. 157–178). American Psychological Association.
- Israel, T., Gorcheva, R., Burnes, T. R., & Walther, W. A. (2008). Helpful and unhelpful therapy experiences of LGBT clients. Psychotherapy Research, 18(3), 294–305.
- Israel, T., Ketz, K., Detrie, P. M., Burke, M. C., & Shulman, J. L. (2003). Identifying counselor competencies for working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 7(4), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1300/J236v07n04_02
10.1300/J236v07n04_02 Google Scholar
- Johnson, A., & Jackson Williams, D. (2015). White racial identity, color-blind racial attitudes, and multicultural counseling competence. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 21, 440–449. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037533
- Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing value-based conflicts within the counseling relationship: A decision-making model. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180–186. http://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x
- Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8 Google Scholar
- Minnix, G. M. (2018). Reconciling counselors' Christian beliefs and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender affirmation: A grounded theory. Counseling and Values, 63(1), 110–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12076
- Moon, D. (2014). Beyond the dichotomy: Six religious views of homosexuality. Journal of Homosexuality, 61(9), 1215–1241. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.926762
- Morrison, M., & Borgen, W. A. (2010). How Christian spiritual and religious beliefs help and hinder counselors' empathy toward clients. Counseling and Values, 55(1), 25–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2010.tb00020.x
10.1002/j.2161-007X.2010.tb00020.x Google Scholar
- Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Sage.
10.4135/9781412995658 Google Scholar
- Paprocki, C. M. (2014). When personal and professional values conflict: Trainee perspectives on tensions between religious beliefs and affirming treatment of LGBT clients. Ethics & Behavior, 24(4), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2013.860029
- Parker, S. (2009). Faith development theory as a context for supervision of spiritual and religious issues. Counselor Education and Supervision, 49(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6978.2009.tb00085.x
10.1002/j.1556-6978.2009.tb00085.x Google Scholar
- Priest, J. B., & Wickel, K. (2011). Religious therapists and clients in same-sex relationships: Lessons from the court case of Bruff v. North Mississippi Health Service, Inc. American Journal of Family Therapy, 39(2), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2010.530196
- Robertson, D. L., & Avent, J. R. (2016). African American counselors-in-training, the Black church, and lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-affirmative counseling: Considerations for counselor education programs. Counseling and Values, 61(2), 223–238. https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12039
- Singh, A. A., & Moss, L. (2016). Using relational-cultural theory in LGBTQQ counseling: Addressing heterosexism and enhancing relational competencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94, 398–404. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12098
- Troutman, O., & Packer-Williams, C. (2014). Moving beyond CACREP standards: Training counselors to work competently with LGBT clients. The Journal for Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 6, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.7729/61.1088
- Ward v. Wilbanks, No. 10-2100 (6th Cir., 2011).
- Whitman, J. S., & Bidell, M. P. (2014). Affirmative lesbian, gay, and bisexual counselor education and religious beliefs: How do we bridge the gap? Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 162–169. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00144.x
