A thematic analysis of social workers’ practices with sexual and gender minority clients

Abstract

Introduction

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people use therapists at high rates, emphasizing the importance of understanding of clinical practice behaviors and drivers of practice behaviors with these clients.

Method

Data were collected from social workers approved as Field Instructors at a Mid-Atlantic university (N = 198) via web-based surveys.

Result

Data themes are Beliefs About Practice with SGM Clients; Beliefs About SGM Clients’ Stressors, Shame, and Safety; Reported External Barriers to Practice with SGM Clients; and Reported Personal Barriers to Practice with SGM Clients.

Conclusion

Themes highlight the importance of personal beliefs and provide details on barriers to effective practices.

Keywords:

• Mental health practice
• therapist
• sexual and gender minority
• practice approaches
• LGBTQ

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of participants in the research process.

Ethics statement

This study received ethics approval from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly.