title: Spiritual and Sexual Identity: Exploring Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients' Perspectives of Counseling.
abstract: Although religious and spiritual issues have emerged as areas of focus in counseling, very few scholars have explored the meaning and experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients who addressed their sexual and religious/spiritual identities in counseling. Using consensual qualitative research (CQR; Hill, 2012), the current study explores the perspectives of 12 LGB persons who sought counseling that involved religious/spiritual concerns. Four themes in participant interviews are identified, including (a) self-acceptance, (b) goals of counseling, (c) identification with counselor, and (d) counseling environment and relationship. Implications of findings for the counseling field are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico , USA.
authors.forename: Kristopher M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Goodrich
authors.affiliation: b Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling , Rider University , Lawrenceville , New Jersey , USA.
authors.forename: Juleen K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Buser
authors.affiliation: c Department of Counseling and Human Services , Syracuse University , Syracuse , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.affiliation: b Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling , Rider University , Lawrenceville , New Jersey , USA.
authors.forename: Trevor J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Buser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D029181:Spirituality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Consensual qualitative research; LGB; identification; real relationship; religious counseling; spiritual counseling; working relationship