The Sexual Minority Client: Chapter Analysis

In chapter 10, The Sexual Minority Client, we were educated on the various skills needed to care for clients who are recognized as a sexual minority. As aspiring Christian counselors, this chapter provided critical information on the competence needed to avoid causing harm to our clients. The author provided the reader recent research on biological factors which may have contributed to the clients sexual orientation, along with the mental health issues which may be caused by their choice. Sanders also eludes to the attempts that have been made in the counseling profession to change or alter a client’s sexual orientation through “two main approaches: professional therapy and paraprofessional/religious ministry contexts” (Sanders, 2013). The

One key point that was reiterated throughout the chapter was the necessity for counselors to have both multicultural awareness and competence. Without the proper education and multicultural awareness, the therapist could in fact do harm and be seen as insensitive to the client. It is our cultural awareness that will allow us to portray sensitivity to our clients that will be felt through our practice of faith-based counseling. Sanders wrote, “After all, we expect the same sensitivity from others in respecting the Christian’s religious beliefs and values” (Sanders, 2013).

Finally, Sanders discussed the efforts that should be made in respecting the client’s autonomy and recognizing when as a professional we should recognize that a referral should be sought in the best interest of the client. While the author states that this should not be our first choice, we must vigilant in the ability to recognize when the service we are providing are not effective and could in fact be harmful for the clients well-being.

I have been taught throughout my life, as a devout Baptist woman, the word of God. In Leviticus, the word says “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination” (ESV). My fear is by entering into a therapeutic relationship with a homosexual client, I would be inclined to counsel through the word of God. So my question is this, would I be wrong? Is it possible that I could harm the client? I will admit that my biggest fear in entering this profession is hurting someone unintentionally by lacking the knowledge and tools necessary to assist them in the struggles that bought them into counseling. Though I understand that informed consent is critical in allowing the client to voluntarily enter into treatment, I also am fully aware that location, convenience and cost drive clients to seek help from counselors who may not be capable of providing services. This chapter indeed reaffirmed with me that I have only just begun the journey to what I have been called to