An analysis of client trends in gay and lesbian counselling service

Due to experiences of homophobia encountered within mainstream mental health services, sexual minorities have established mental health services that address their needs. This study explored client patterns and trends at Triangle Project, a counselling service, aimed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) individuals. The data was collected and analysed by examining existing documentation that contained clients’ information. This method of secondary analysis also included looking at the organisation's annual reports and an evaluation report. The findings indicated that GLBT communities favour counselling services aimed specifically at meeting their needs. Furthermore, GLBT individuals do not necessarily present with concerns relating to their sexuality, but there are commonalities with heterosexual individuals’ presenting concerns. In addition, it was apparent that gay men and lesbians presented with different concerns. Lesbians expressed their primary concern as relationship difficulties, followed by depression, while gay men reported issues such loneliness and other situational concerns. White gay men made use of services more so than other sexual minorities of colour. The findings also revealed that youth, lesbians and gay men of colour, were not well represented, and that youth, particularly, were at risk of possibly experiencing mental ill health. This study recommends that it is crucial for mental health workers to be equipped to provide effective mental health services for GLBT communities and that interventions are designed to facilitate and promote the mental health of GLBT individuals. It is also imperative that the GLBT community is not viewed as a monolithic group and that mental health workers are sensitive to differences of culture and ethnicity.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Clayton, Janine Lydia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• De la Rey, Cheryl

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7719

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/7719