Abstract
This chapter focuses on the historically ambivalent relationship between mental health sciences and homosexuality. It briefly traces this history and then moves to discussing the need for an ethical and affirmative stance while working with lesbian and gay clients. The chapter discusses some of the common dilemmas of counsellors/mental health practitioners while working with their lesbian and gay clients.
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Notes
- 1.
This chapter is based on learnings and insights from a study conducted by the authors titled, ‘Conceptualizing Gay Affirmative Counselling Practice in India supported by Saksham, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Round-7, Counselling Component as well as an e-manual written by the authors on Gay Affirmative Counselling in 2013, available at: http://www.academia.edu/22507988/Gay-Affirmative_Counselling_Practice_Resource_and_Training_Manual.
- 2.
Also see Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. Available at: www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/.
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Ranade, K., Chakravarty, S. (2016). ‘Coming Out’ of the Comfort Zone: Challenging Heteronormativity Through Affirmative Counselling Practice with Lesbian and Gay Clients. In: Bhola, P., Raguram, A. (eds) Ethical Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1808-4_9
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