Use of Culture-Centered Counseling Theory with Ethnically Diverse LGBT Clients

Abstract

The intersection of ethnocultural and sexual orientation identities presents unique challenges that mandate cultural competence in assessing and intervening with ethnically diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Effective counseling with this population requires an understanding of non-Eurocentric, nonheterosexual worldviews as well as an awareness of the sociopolitical realities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender life. Culture-centered counseling theory provides an effective framework for addressing the needs of ethnically diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients. A review of the literature on counseling ethnically diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is provided along with case illustrations to illuminate the use of culture-centered counseling theory with this population. Recommendations focus on counselor training to increase ethnocultural knowledge and clinical competence and to reduce personal bias.