ABSTRACT
LGBTQ individuals, couples, and families face a unique set of challenges in today’s society and in the therapy room. Because of the history of discrimination of LGBTQ clients within the mental health field, there is still a sense of mistrust on the part of these clients. Understanding this history and resulting lack of mistrust is essential to understanding the experience of the LGBTQ client in therapy. The importance of understanding intersectionality is highlighted. A case study is examined and best practices offered. It is argued that the ORCA-Stance offers tools, both in the form of a therapeutic stance and in actionable directives, that can help therapists to create safe spaces with our LGBTQ identified clients.
