Diversity Series

Notes from the April 7, 2004 Diversity Series Presentation by Becky J. Liddle, Ph.D.

“Working Effectively and Ethically with LGBT Clients”

Becky Liddle, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Auburn University Department of Counseling and Counseling Psychology. Dr. Liddle graduated from Oberlin College with an undergraduate degree in psychology and she completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Liddle teaches graduate courses at Auburn on Counseling Diverse Populations, Counseling Theories, and College Student Development (to name a few). She has published her research in journals such as the Journal of Career Assessment, the Journal of Homosexuality, Feminism and Psychology, and the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy and she recently completed writing a chapter for the Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients. Dr. Liddle is also a licensed psychologist in Alabama and Georgia.

• Language is an important consideration when working with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans-Gendered Clients (LGBT)
• Dr. Liddle recommends against using the term homosexual in clinical work as this term was used prior to 1975 to describe homosexuality as a clinical diagnosis.
• Sexual preference, affectional orientation, or terms of pride such as Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual are preferable
• It is best to mirror the client’s terminology (e.g., lover, girlfriend, boyfriend, partner, husband, wife).
• It is important for the clinician and researcher to be aware of heterosexism – the assumption that everybody is straight that is common in our culture
• There are three aspects of coming out :
  • Realizing that you are LGBT (coming out to yourself)
    • You first think of yourself as straight
    • Then there is a dawning that you are different
    • You may feel scared, joyful, or angry (this is different for everyone)
  • Coming out to significant others
  • Coming out in your daily activities (e.g., how to fill out marital status on forms)
• It is very challenging to be LGBT in high school
  • Over 80% of LGBT high school students are verbally harassed
  • Over 40% are physically beat up
  • The suicide rate is 3 times higher for LGBT students than for straight high school students
  • A large percentage of homeless children and adolescents are LGBT
• It is very important to have Gay Affirmative Straight Individuals in the community
  • Anti-homophobia and anti-violence talks in school need to be done by straight individuals
  • LGBT individuals may not be welcomed in the school setting
  • Gay Affirmative Straight Individuals at AU can display the Safe Zone Auburn Allies Project flier.
• Some individuals have internalized homophobia – anger at themselves for buying into homophobia
• Be sensitive to racial/ethnic difference in coming out to family (e.g., Hispanic and Asian LGBT individuals are less likely to be openly out)
• Life in Auburn as a LGBT individual is challenging because there is a lack of community (among other things).
• You will need to meet the needs of your client at his or her stage in coming out. Dr. Liddle stated that although it is healthier to come out as a LGBT individual, the clinician should not impose this world view on LGBT clients.
• Please direct your client to the brochure created by the APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns entitled “Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality”
• It is very important for clinicians to convey the information that conversion therapy does not work and can be very harmful to the clients.

Dr. Liddle agreed to return to our department and provide a follow up presentation in the fall 2004 semester!

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Last updated on May 10, 2004