10/14/14: Principles and Practice SSA

Principles and Practices in Responding to SSA

Best Practice Standards

Essentially, be very respectful and careful to not ostracize any gay or lesbian clients.  Explore their sexuality with them.  Understand that the church doesn't condone acting on homosexual feelings, but still loves these individuals.  Lots of statements like:

1. Understand that experiencing SSA or identifying as LGBT does not constitute a mental illness
2. Strive to understand the unique problems and risks that exist for youth who experience SSA or gender dysphoria, including those who identify as LGBT. 
3. Understand and be able to differentiate between (1) the qualitative experience of same-sex attraction with varied and complex etiology and varied levels of persistence; (2) the persistence of such feelings in what might be termed an enduring sexual orientation; and (3) a subjective social identity that is adopted or formed around an individual’s sexuality. 

Specific Therpuetic Practices

• Why are clients in therapy?
• Help clients write a personal history
• Instead of "what's wrong with me?", change it to "what's wrong?"
• Extensive sexual history interviews.  Be cautious of making inferences.  
• Explore the distinctions between attraction, arousal, aversion, desire, intention, orientation, behavior, and identity in considering sexuality and sexual identity. 
• Treat any underlying conditions, or symptoms of the struggle-anxiety, depression, etc.  

Consideration for Spouses:

• It's NOT the spouse's fault. 
• Help spouse to not force intimacy, it'll make things worse.
• Individual therapy for spouses is really helpful.
• Psychoeducation about SSA

Considerations for Parents and Families

• Encourage love, empathy, and support.
• Help families try to understand and be curious about it.  Don't prejudge it.
• Remember, SSA doesn't constitute one's whole personality.  There are other facets of themselves to still relate to.
• Don't preach or blame!
• Explore how families will deal with holidays and big family gatherings with the partner of their SSA child.  
• Remember, family is a safe base for ALL its members.