ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on some of the variety of particular issues that a lesbian, gay, or bisexual client may bring into the counselling arena as well as the potential relevance that such sexual orientations might have for concerns that are more obviously universal. Having grown up in an essentially homophobic society it is fairly certain that the individual will have internalized the constructs offered. Because individuals at the pre-coming out stage are not consciously aware of same-sex feelings, they cannot describe what is wrong. Cass refers to it as the stage of 'identity confusion'. First relationships, irrespective of sexual orientation, are frequently over-romanticized and essentially function as learning grounds for relationship skill-building. High levels of distress are also known to reduce compliance to risk-reduction strategies within the context of HIV infection. Most counsellors working with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients genuinely ascribe to liberal beliefs that are supportive and that are anti-discriminatory.
