Coming out of the Therapy Closet: Women’s Disclosure of Same-sex Attraction in Counselling

ABSTRACT

“Coming out” is a process that same-sex attracted people undergo if they choose to acknowledge it to others. Minimal research exists examining the coming-out experience for same-sex attracted women in counselling settings. This qualitative study addressed the gaps in existing research by exploring counsellors’ perceptions of factors influencing same-sex attracted female clients to disclose their sexual orientation to a counsellor. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 counsellors from diverse clinical backgrounds. In their view, the main factors influencing disclosure were the perceived lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) friendliness of a service or counsellor; the presence of LGBQ symbols within services; using gender-neutral language; and the level of a client’s self-acceptance of their sexual orientation. These findings suggest that the utilisation of culturally affirming models by counsellors working with same-sex attracted female clients can create a safe environment for disclosure of sexual orientation.

如果同性相吸者想他人了解自己的话，就须经历一个“出来”的过程。有少量关于咨询环境中女同性恋“出来”经历的研究。本文考察了咨询师认为哪些因素会影响女同性恋向其坦白性取向。作者对来自不同临床背景的十位咨询师做了半固定访谈。这些咨询师认为，影响坦白性取向的主要因素包括服务人员或咨询师是否同性恋、双性恋或酷儿；服务机构是否存在酷儿的符号；是否使用中“性”语言；当事人对自身性取向接受的程度。这些发现表明，咨询师使用文化首肯模式会为女同性恋创造一个表露性取向的安全环境。

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual Orientation
• Counselling
• LGBTQ People
• Same-sex attracted Women
• Culturally Affirming Practice
• Coming Out

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.