ABSTRACT
Therapist self-disclosure of sexual orientation (TSDO) is complicated because the therapist’s sexual orientation is concealable, though concealment may negatively impact the client and therapist. In addition, the therapist’s sexuality is often revealed to clients unintentionally, and is of some importance and impacts in therapeutic dyads, particularly when the client and/or therapist is of LGBTQ identification. While matching LGBTQ clients and therapists is not essential, TSDO within gay male and lesbian female dyads has clinical and social justice-oriented benefits for both the therapist and client. TSDO of gay or lesbian sexuality was regarded more favorably by surveyed heterosexual clients than what might be expected, though is of questionable relevance to treatment. What makes TSDO helpful is often the security of the therapist’s identity, awareness and management of internalized homophobia, and accurate perception of client receptivity, projections, and likelihood of benefitting. Interestingly, non-disclosure of heterosexual orientation was rated more favorably than disclosure. These and other aspects of LGBTQ identity and competent care are deserving of greater priority in clinical training, particularly among heterosexual men, who were rated by LGBTQ clients as least helpful, as compared to lesbian or heterosexual women. Limited research on bisexual, transgender, and LGBTQ individuals of color requires redress through further study and inquiry in later chapters of this text.
