In Chapter 10 of Rudolph K. Sanders’ book, Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors, Mark Yarhouse, Jill Kays and Stanton Jones discuss the “sexual minority” as it pertains to the field of professional counseling. This group is defined as “individuals with same sex attractions or behavior, regardless of self-identification” (Sanders, et. al., 2013, p. 252). By looking at counseling the homosexual community through its etiology, standards by which a counselor should proceed with treatment, and the options a client has on deciding treatment options, we can be better prepared as Christian counselors to be better prepared in serving the needs of others.
Summarize
The idea of being competent is vital in being successful in any career. By being competent in the counseling profession, we can ensure the successfulness in our understanding of mental illnesses, as well as provide the client with the most beneficial treatment for the individual. An interesting statistic found that there is a significant disparity between the percentages of individuals that proclaim same-sex attraction versus individuals that also identify themselves as homosexuals (Sanders, et. al., 2013, p. 253). When pertaining to the origin of homosexuality, many research studies suggest that the etiology derives from a biological standpoint. While the direct cause of homosexuality is not fully determined, recent research would have us believe that there is potentially biological, as well as environmental factors, that can contribute to a person’s attraction to the same sex.
Many research studies have looked at correlations in mental health with homosexuality. Sanders reports that individuals that identify as homosexual or bi...
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...thors also go along to state that after a long period of time, health organizations, including the APA, does not consider homosexuality to be considered a mental illness (2013, p. 269).
While understanding that, again, it is the client’s decision as to what route they was to take [in treatment], I plan on providing each individual with as much scientific and background information as possible in order to allow them to decide what steps need to be taken to assure their mental health improves. Regardless of a person’s race, gender, or sexual orientation, I hope to be a follower of Christ, in helping others regardless of our differences.
Bibliography:
Sanders, R., Yarhouse, M., Kays, J., & Jones, S. (2013). The Sexual Minority Client.Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors (251-284). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
“The unprecedented growth of the gay community in recent history has transformed our culture and consciousness, creating radically new possibilities for people to ‘come out’ and live more openly as homosexuals”(Herdt 2). Before the 1969 Stonewall riot in New York, homosexuality was a taboo subject. Research concerning homosexuality emphasized the etiology, treatment, and psychological adjustment of homosexuals. Times have changed since 1969. Homosexuals have gained great attention in arts, entertainment, media, and politics. Yesterday’s research on homosexuality has expanded to include trying to understand the different experiences and situations of homosexuals (Ben-Ari 89-90).
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark McMinn and published by Tyndale House in 2011 notions towards the idealization that Christian counselors need to be privy in the most recent psychological methods as well as theological theories. “This is a book about counseling processes techniques” (McMinn, 2011, p. 150). McMinn also alluded that Christian counselors benefit from having a spiritual maturity. With having these attributes counselors are better prepared to take note of prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. McMinn (2011) model flows in the direction of healing while equating to a more advantageous relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ as well as with other relationships (McMinn, 2011).
There are many issues that interfere with the health and happiness of those within the Gay and Lesbian community. The National Association Position Statement on Gays and Lesbians is as attempt to abolish such issues within the social work practice. One place that individuals of any sexual orientation practice should feel safe is with those who have chosen the field of social work as a means to helping the oppressed. Social workers must be aware of their own personal beliefs and values when it comes to the fear of and the misrepresentation of working with this divers group. The consequences of not dealing with such issues and may have a latent manifest in dealing with the Gay and Lesbian population, and if not addressed prior to working in this field, maybe devastating to a client.
Various controversies have arisen from the LGBT community since it stepped into the limelight during the Stonewall Riots of 1969, the events known as the beginning of the LGBT movement. One of these dilemmas is the faith identity of LGBT youth and how their sexuality might be handled as teenagers. Reparative therapies, also known as conversion therapies, have become popular ideas on how to fix teenagers’ sexual orientations. “My Take: Let’s Protect Religious Counselors Amid ‘Conversion Therapy’ Dance-Off”, authored by Gabe Lyons and published in the CNN Belief Blog, offers a subjective view on why religious freedom should be protected through conversion camps. “Five Christian Pastors in Illinois are Challenging a State Law Banning ‘Conversion
The concepts are; Prayer, Scripture, Sin, Confession, Forgiveness, and Redemption. The question of prayer has always been somewhat controversial in the counseling arena. One may ask” Should counselors pray with client before a session begin? Some will say yes, because prayer is crucial to every Christian practice, however, others will say no, feeling that counselors should stay away from including spirituality in counseling. (McMinn, 2011 p.77) McMinn states that there are seven different types of prayer Christian counselors can implement while counseling clients. McMinn (2011) concludes that praying silently or outside counseling sessions is not harmful to the client. The second concept McMinn addressed is Scripture use. Although the use of scripture is controversial among some persons, McMinn (2011) stresses the it is a powerful tool and it is our most important technique of perceiving who God is( p.
Though many consider homosexuality a mental illness, different studies have proven that it is a bi...
“Equal rights for lesbians and gay men may be the greatest civil rights battle of the 21st century” (Avery 2007, p. 71). Homosexual couples have been fighting a losing battle for years, and their struggle has recently taken the spotlight once again as a burning topic. Over the years, many people have come to support equal love. However, many Americans still advocate the one man-one woman institution of marriage. The fight for equal rights in general has always been a complex issue. African Americans, women, and many other minorities have had to fight for the rights that they hold today. There are many factors involved in gay activism such as support, attitudes, roles, and the implications of the movement. Social psychology takes a particular interest in gay rights and these factors in particular, as it is a current, controversial topic within American society.
It is very reasonable to conclude that research on depression of those who identify as gay, lesbian or transsexual is not accurate; there is an underreporting of people who identify as these sexual orientations because of the fear of being different. It is understood that those apart of the LGBTQ community actively hide their identity in hopes to avoid being rejected or abused (Bird, 2013). Once the reporting issue of having a smaller percentage of the actual representation of the LGBTQ population is put aside, there is evidence that highly suggests that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders than heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). Even after underreporting, there is still enough information to conclude that sexual discrimination can have harmful effects on the quality of life. Common factors that have been observed in lesbians and gays that can potentially increase depression during Cochran's study are anxiety and mood disorders and decreased self esteem. Cochran and her partner also noted that dissatisfaction with how one is treated beca...
At one point homosexuality was considered to be a psychological disorder. Although the American Psychological Association states, “When researchers examined data about these people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was quickly found to be untrue.” According to Rita Mae Brown, speech, 28 August 1982, “No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love. The only queer people are those who don't love anybody (Quotes on Homosexuality).” Kathleen Melonakos, founder of Delaware Family Foundation, wants to know how it’s not considered a mental disorder. Considering that homosexuality involves a life threatening behavior with an addictive component which has serious health implications. “That word "lesbian" sounds like a disease. And straight men know because they're sure that they're the cure,” Denise McCanles (Quotes on Homosexuality).
There is very little research that has been done in the past on the mental health of LGBT individuals. In 1997 the federal center for Mental Health Services called for information to be compiled on the topic (Lucksted 3). Most of the information came from small publications, grass root information and self-reporting and even this information was incomplete because of the lesser reporting on people of the transgender and bisexual communities. This older report shows what the state of affairs was in ...
Homosexuals become so stressed it feels like they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Every way they turn nothing seems to be going the right way in life. So much physical and mental pain one simply cannot take anymore of living a life where they will never be accepted by others. They just decided it would be better if they were dead. An article from titled “Men’s sexual orientation and suicide: Evidence for U.S. adolescent-specific risk” states There is strong consensus in the research literature that adolescent and adult men who report same-sex sexual orientations, identities, and behaviors are at higher risk for suicide. Recent studies of general adolescent suicide risk have identified developmental trajectories that peak during the teenage years. Because the adolescent years are characterized by the development and heightened awareness of gender roles and sexual scripts closely tied to dominant cultural ideals of masculinity and heterosexuality, an adolescent-focused developmental trajectory for suicide risk might be particularly relevant for males with adolescent same-sex sexual orientations (Russell,
I appreciate your response. Deeawn, when I counsel individuals in the real world, it is not my duty to enforce my viewpoint on an individual who is already engaging in sexual activities. My devoir as a spiritual counselor and advisor is to deal with their real life issues. 99.5 of homosexuals are engaging in sexual acts and teaching and conversing to them about safe sex is the correct method. One of my younger gay relatives died because he did not use protection. A few years ago, I had a foster daughter who was bisexual with two children at 16 years of age. In foster care training, the first essential point they teach foster parents is not to articulate our opinions and viewpoints on others. I tell heterosexual individuals to protect themselves
Now in order to fully understand the importance of addressing the topics of religion and spirituality into therapy as well as with grasping the importance of becoming skilled at integrating these issues into counseling, it is of great importance to distinguish between spirituality and religion and knowing how a client identifies with each one. And with religion and spirituality playing significant roles in aiding emotional well-bein...
It was broadly believed that homosexuality was a kind of mental illness and could be cured if people respond well to treatment. However, nowadays homosexuality is no longer considered a form of mental illness by mainstream psychologists and psychiatrists. “Japan’s psychiatric body called it mental illness until 1995, and the World Health Organization until 1993. The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of disorder in 1973.” (The Associated Press 1) China also removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 2001 after five years of study. Although homosexuality is not a mental illness itself, sometimes gay men and women have mental disorders due to pressure from family and society.
Herek, Gregory M. "Homosexuality and Mental Health." Homosexuality and Mental Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.