title: To Refer or Not to Refer: Exploring Family Therapists' Beliefs and Practices Related to the Referral of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients.
abstract: This study explored how negative beliefs toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and LGB clinical competence influenced family therapists' beliefs and practices regarding referring based on the sexual orientation of the client. The sample consisted of 741 experienced clinicians. The results of this study indicated that the majority of the participants believe it is ethical to refer LGB clients; however, most had never made such a referral. Furthermore, participants who had referred based solely on the client's sexual orientation reported higher levels of negative beliefs toward LGB individuals and lower levels of LGB clinical competence. Finally, negative beliefs toward LGB persons not only predicted the practice of referring, but also the belief that it is ethical to refer an LGB client.
authors.affiliation: North Dakota State University.
authors.forename: Christi R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: McGeorge
authors.affiliation: North Dakota State University.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stone Carlson
authors.affiliation: North Dakota State University.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States