LGB individuals’ preferences for psychotherapy theoretical orientations: Results from two studies

Abstract

The aim of Study 1 was to determine whether preferences for psychotherapy theoretical orientations (PTOs) differ between LGB and heterosexual persons. Eighty-four LGB and 87 heterosexual participants read descriptions of three traditional PTOs (i.e., cognitive behavioral [CBT], humanistic [HT], and psychodynamic [PT]), then chose their most preferred PTO. PTO preferences did not differ between LGB and heterosexual participants. The aim of Study 2 was to determine whether LGB persons prefer an LGB affirmative PTO (LGB-AT) to traditional PTOs. Eighty-two LGB participants read descriptions, then chose their preferred PTO among CBT, HT, PT, and LGB-AT. They preferred CBT to LGB-AT.

Keywords:

• LGB
• LGB affirmative therapy
• preferences
• sexual orientation
• theoretical orientation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Kathleen Ritter, Ph.D., Heidi Levitt, Ph.D., Debra Hope, Ph.D., Catherine Crisp, Ph.D., John Pachankis, Ph.D., Heather Lyons, Ph.D., William Stiles, Ph.D., Sarah Knox, Ph.D., Lynn Angus, Ph.D., Lara Honos-Webb, Ph.D., Arthur Bohart, Ph.D., David Weibel, Ph.D., and Larry Leitner, Ph.D. for their contributions to the development of the descriptions used in this research.

Data availability

Data available upon request to corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ohio University Department of Psychology.