Final Paper - ADCS3850 (Essay Sample)

Relationship, Gender, and Sexual Identities in Counselling Final Paper Student’s Name Affiliation ADCS3850: Relationship, Gender, and Sexual Identities in Counselling Instructor August 20, 2023 Final Paper Gender, sexual, and relationship minorities encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals live with a code of silence that makes them invisible (Lin et al., 2022). Many live deeply closeted lives due to social and cultural dynamics that have rendered heterosexism, homophobia, and homonegativity pervasive, not only in Canada, but throughout the world (Ellis et al., 2019). It is no doubt that tremendous milestones have been achieved towards protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals in the last few decades. However, much of society (including academic institutions and workplaces) is still “chilly” towards gender and sexual minorities. This climate has led to the suffering of many LGBTIQ+ people. They are subjected to social victimization, which in turn, results in prejudice and discrimination (Lin et al., 2022). The discrimination experienced by LGBTIQ people could be a barrier to their access of health and support services (Pereira, 2019). Therapy remains (in some circumstances, the only) place where LGBTIQ+ people can find acceptance, be able to express themselves freely, and have their needs met. Therefore, it is essential that therapists, psychologists, and mental health professionals adhere to a standard of unbiased practice with gay, lesbian, and queer individuals (Pereira, 2019). To celebrate and defend the integrity and authenticity of the rights of the LGBTIQ population, therapists must undergo training to develop a set of attitudes and behaviors that are based on normal and healthy expressions of gender, sexuality, and relationships. Affirmative competence is about receiving specific clinical training in order to develop effective therapy and counselling skills to work with LGBTIQ+ clients. LGBTIQ+ therapists are people – people with distinct social, cultural, religious, and political backgrounds. According to Pereira (2019) and Farmer (2017), social demographic characteristics (such as age, marital status, gender, country of origin, and sexual orientation), religious and political beliefs, and level of training influence counselling professionals’ ability to possess affirmative competence. Training in LGBTIQ+ issues can enable therapists to cultivate direct and open dialogue with LGBTIQ+ clients to facilitate and support the therapeutic process (Pereira, 2019). Moreover, as a therapist, one must be willing and ready to examine their own beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, and levels of comfort (or discomfort) while working with homosexual and queer people (Alis, 2021). Affirmative competence can help in removing a therapist’s biases, improve the therapist-client interaction and the therapeutic process. For a long time, LGBTIQ+ issues have taken a back seat in my mind. This is largely attributable to my country of origin and upbringing. I come from China, a country with a more conservative sociocultural climate (Liu et al., 2020). Further, I was raised by a straight couple with firm Christian beliefs and in a heterosexual society. I never heard the word gay until I was fourteen. Until recently, I thought LGBTIQ+ issues were trivial; that they did not really deserve the attention that the LGBTIQ+ community and human rights activists have been advocating for. However, living in Canada for the past five years, taking courses on intersectionality, and my own experiences of prejudice and discrimination as an Asian living in North America have made me appreciate the experiences of LGBTIQ+ individuals. As a current LGBTIQ+ counselling student and future professional, it is imperative that I develop affirmative competence regarding sexual and gender minorities. A critical part of developing affirmative competence is self-reflecting and assessing where I am and where I am going. This includes assessing my strengths, areas of growth and my role as a future professional, and having a plan for continued growth in my competence. My major strength in developing affirmative competence is that I have undergone through formal and LGBTIQ+-specific training. Taking this course has opened my eyes to LGBTIQ+ issues. Essentialist and social constructionist theories have enabled me to understood why homosexual and queer people are the way they are – that sexuality is innate and biologically biased (essentialism) or the product of social and cultural contexts (constructionism) (Ellis et al., 2019). Training in gender and sexuality has also enabled me to appreciate diversity and develop an inclusive mindset and language. I have developed the concept of multicultural counselling, enabling me to become competent in three dimensions: self-awareness, knowledge of other world views, and counselling skills. I am able to examine and challenge my own assumptions on human behavior, preconceived notions, personal limitations, and biases towards LGBTIQ+ people. I am aware that my cultural background, religious beliefs, and world views may contrast with those of my clients. Today, I am in a position to acknowledge the cultural values and life experiences of LGBTIQ+ clients and incorporate these values and experiences into the counselling process. While I have gained some knowledge and skills that are necessary to work effectively with LGBTIQ+ clients, I still have a long way to go. However difficult to admit, I must say that I am still influenced by heterosexist and cissexist biases. Having been brought in a community that discriminates against the LGBTIQ+ population, it is difficult for me to avoid internalizing negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexual and queer individuals. The misinformation and misunderstanding I developed about the sexual minority culture still ‘haunts’ me. They reinforced heterosexist views and gendered norms in me; I sometimes perceive homosexuality as ‘unnatural’ and ‘abnormal.’ While I have never expressed negative comments or discriminated against LGBTIQ+ people, through for example, engaging in homophobic and transphobic activities, I sometimes have negative feelings towards homosexuality in general. As a person (not as a therapist), I ponder upon questions such as: Would I comfortably share a hotel room with a LGBTIQ person of my gender? Would I allow myself to become close friends with a LGBTIQ+ person? Would I use the services of a physician who was openly LGBTIQ+? Would I invite LGBTIQ+ people to my wedding and encourage them to dance with same-sex partners? Would I coexist with LGBTIQ+ individuals in the workplace? Would I accept my son or daughter who explicitly came out? Unfortunately, and regrettably so, my answer to these questions is sometimes “no.” This is an area I need to work in order to develop affirmative competence. I realize that regardless of how much LGBTIQ+ training I receive, I cannot provide effective services to LGBTIQ+ clients with these personal biases. Regarding my role as an ally, I am in a position to cultivate allyship with sexually marginalized people. Despite my personal biases, which might creep in from time to time, I am committed to listening and learning from those who live in oppression and leverage my privilege and training to end the system of oppression against gender and sexual minorities. Allyship is a lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, accountability, and consistency with sexually and romantically marginalized groups (Chang et al., 2018). As a therapist and friend of sexually oppressed individuals, I can hear them out, openly discuss the issues facing them, learn new things about their experiences, and take guidance from them. I can also acknowledge and embrace the emotions that come out of the process, accepting that I or my clients may feel uncomfortable or challenged. Having experienced discrimination because of my race, I have a genuine interest to challenge the oppressive power structures in society. As an ally, I will use a social justice approach to challenge heterosexism and cisgenderism. The social justice approach entails engaging at a system level and acting as a LGBTIQ+ advocate in society (Stitt, 2021). As a future professional, I need to practice appropriate, sensitive, and relevant intervention strategies while working with LGBTIQ clients. I need to further develop my knowledge and skills to address the special issues of different groups and individuals withing the LGBTIQ+ community. As a future therapist, I will also consider ethical guidelines while working with LGBTIQ+ clients. For example, I will inform clients of the purpose and goal of therapy, the procedures, and techniques implemented, and the risks and benefits involved (American Psychological Association, 2011). I will also ensure that they give informed consent and uphold confidentiality. My practice will be inclusive; I will be inviting of diversity an...