Buddhist Psychotherapy with Older GLBT Clients

Abstract

Many older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people have been oppressed by and subsequently feel alienated from the religio-cultural traditions into which they were born (i.e., their spiritual traditions of origin). This may be especially true of those whose religious traditions are highly rigid or fundamentalist. As a result, some have turned to Eastern philosophies to regain a sense of belongingness. Psychotherapy based on Eastern traditions may be particularly well-suited to these individuals. There is a burgeoning literature on the application of Eastern, particularly Buddhist, philosophies to counseling. This article explores Buddhist psychological concepts that may be relevant to counseling GLBT older adults, briefly addresses some clinical issues in the use of Buddhist-based counseling, and considers a fictional case example.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychotherapy
• Buddhist-based counseling
• GLBT clients
• older client mental health care

Notes

1. The remaining concepts (dependent co-origination, mutual causality, the moral precepts, the eightfold path, and karma) also are relevant to counseling and will be reviewed in a subsequent paper.