Counseling Gay Male Clients

Abstract

Prior to the removal of homosexuality from the DSM-II in 1973, practicing clinicians tended to focus on one goal in treating gay male clients (i.e., attempting to “convert” gay men to heterosexuality). However, as views toward homosexuality began to change in mental health, therapeutic goals in working with gay males concomitantly changed. Unfortunately, practitioners have had limited treatment efficacy (i.e., outcome research) literature to which they could refer to ascertain what modes of therapy work effectively with this client population. The purpose of the present paper was to review the outcome literature with gay male clients that was done after 1975. Four main goals of therapy were of particular importance for this paper: (1) Facilitation of Gay Male Identity Development; (2) Coping with AIDS; (3) Relationship Difficulties; and (4) Sexual Dysfunctions. A review of the literature revealed a scant research base full of methodological weaknesses, leaving practitioners with many questions about what treatments work effectively with this population. Implications for clinical practice and research are explicated. In this vein, a model is proposed for carrying out and evaluating outcome research with gay male clients.