DB 11

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Liberty University *

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Psychology

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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There are several elements from this week's material that helped deepen my understanding of working with individuals of the LGBTQ+ community. The first notable one is related to the intersectional issues faced by members of this group. Hays & Erford (2022) explains, "because many helping professionals and researchers discuss LGBTQ+ people only in terms of sexual identity and sexual behavior, issues of race, class, ability, and gender are either forgotten or ignored" (p.194). It is crucial that counselors address every facet of a client's identity, especially since many of these areas affect one another. The next factor that expanded my awareness about LGBTQ+ members are the consequence they face as a result of heterosexism. Hays & Erford (2022) elucidate that "LGBTQ+ youth experience extremely high levels of harassment and threats of violence, leading to higher rates of depressive symptoms and risk of suicide" (p.207). In fact, some of the consequences they face are actually imposed by family members. "A recent study suggests that anti-LGBTQ discrimination from family members can be religiously based, including comments like "Pray that God will change you" and other sexual orientation change efforts" (Munro et al., 2019). The third aspect that broadened my insight is conversion therapy, and how it adversely effects LGBTQ+ individuals. Blosnich et al., (2020) explain that conversion therapy is a sexual orientation change effort, "that includes a variety of approaches such as: immersion in heterosexual-focused cognitive exercises, amplification of shame for same-gender attraction, and physical punishment (e.g., electric shock) intended to condition against mental or physical attraction to the same gender". The negative outcomes associated with these methods include "increased distress, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors" (Blosnich et al., 2020). These three elements have significantly impacted my perspective surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Before, I never really consider them to be an oppressed group, and I definitely was not aware of the extreme measures others take in attempts to change one's sexual orientation. As a result of the awareness I have gained, I was able to sympathize with this community, which triggered my desire to advocate for them in my future counseling work. One Christian principle that comes to mind is Psalms 51:1 which states, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions" (New International Version, 2011). The same compassion and forgiveness we seek from God, we should also give our neighbors. References Blosnich, J. R., Henderson, E. R., Coulter, R. W. S., Goldbach, J. T., & Meyer, I. H. (2020). Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016-2018. American journal of public health , 110 (7),
e1–e7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305637 Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2022). Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence (4th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780137474318 Links to an external site. Munro, L., Travers, R., & Woodford, M. R. (2019). Overlooked and invisible: Everyday experiences of microaggressions for LGBTQ adolescents. Journal of Homosexuality , 66 (10), 1439– 1471. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2018.1542205 Links to an external site. New International Version . (2011). BibleGateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV- Bible/#booklist
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