Affirmative, Strengths-Based Counseling With LGBTQI+ People

Many LGBTQI+ people struggle with developing a positive identity related to their affectional and/or gender orientation, as well as experience heightened minority stress from their treatment by others. Counselors need to be able to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for clients to explore these and other issues. Affirmative, culturally-competent counseling involves exploring one's own biases, presentation of gender and relationships in counseling forms and within their office, strength-based and resiliency approaches, using advocacy and empowerment strategies. Authors explore ethical, training, and supervision issues surrounding affirmative counseling strategies.