Knowledge Center

Recommended ACA Resources for Assisting LGBTQ+ Clients

LGBTQ+ Focused Hotlines

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers accredited life-saving, life-affirming programs and services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting and inclusive environments over the phone, online and through text.

Trevor Lifeline—The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.
TrevorChat—A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors, open daily from 3–10pm ET / Noon–7pm PT.
TrevorText—A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available Monday–Friday from 3–10pm ET / Noon–7pm PT by texting START to 678678.

Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis - for the trans community, by the trans community.

Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, even if it’s just about whether or not you’re trans, please call us. US: 877-565-8860

Counseling Today Articles

Competencies, Practice Briefs, & Other Resources

Competencies

ALGBTIC Competencies for Counseling LGBQIQA Individuals. June 2012
The aim of these competencies is to provide a framework for creating safe, supportive, and caring relationships with LGBQIQA individuals, groups, and communities that foster self-acceptance and personal, social, emotional, and relational development.

ALGBTIC Competencies for Counseling Transgender Clients. September 2009
This document contains suggested competencies for use in counseling with transgender clients. These competencies are geared toward professionally trained counselors who work with transgender individuals, families, groups, or communities.

Practice Briefs
Practice Briefs are research-based summaries of best practices, evidence-based practices, and research-based approaches covering a wide variety of client-presenting issues and counseling topics.

Practice Brief: LGBTQQ - Affirmative Counseling 12/2014

Other ACA Resources

Counseling LGBTQ Adults Throughout the Life Span is a training and conceptual guide that can supplement the literature and practice knowledge for those working with adults who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community. The guide is a compilation of experiences of many professional counselors, counselor educators, counseling supervisors, and leaders in the counseling profession, and it is hoped that the guide will illuminate the diverse views within the adult developmental process as it pertains to issues of mental health, life satisfaction, and a focus on the uniqueness of the LGBTQ adult population.
Roland, C. B., & Burlew, L. D. (Eds.). (2017). Counseling LGBTQ adults throughout the life span. Retrieved from
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/counseling-lgbtq-adults-throughout-the-life-span-final.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Online Courses

Developing Competence in Working With LBGTQI+ Communities: Awareness, Knowledge, Skills, and Action
Speakers: Misty M. Ginicola, PhD, Joel M. Filmore, EdD, Cheri Smith, PhD, Professor

Serving the Needs of the LGBTQ Clients: The State of Civil Rights Protections in Schools and the Workplace; Advocating for LGBTQ Students and Clients
Speakers:Amy Zavadil, Ph.D., NCC

De Opresso Liber, Part II: Counseling and Advocating for Trans* Military Service Members During Uncertain Times
Speakers: Deanna N. Cor, PhD, Megan J. Doughty Shaine, PhD

Identity Development of South Asian Same-Sex Attracted Women: Implications for Counseling
Speaker: Surinder Bal, PhD, LPC, NCC

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Family Acceptance and Emotional Development
Speaker:Julie Basulto, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy

Transgender- Moving from Awareness to Advocacy
Speaker:Rebecca Smith, LPC, CPCS

Ethical and Legal Considerations: Complicated Issues in Challenging Times
Speaker: Stephanie F. Dailey, EdD

Resiliency Factors of Trans-College Students: Implications for Professional Counselors and Higher Education Professionals
Speakers:Jane E. Rheineck, PhD, Matthew Lonski

If You See Something, Say Something: Responding to Student and Supervisee Microaggressions
Speaker(s): Anita A. Neuer, PhD, John F. Marszalek, PhD, Kevin C. Snow, PhD, Mary Aab, LPC

An Affirmative Approach in Evaluating and Recommending Candidates for Gender Transition
Speaker: Varunee Faii Sangganjanavanich, PhD,

ACA Partner Resources

The 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report. The HRC Foundation and the University of Connecticut released the largest-of-its-kind survey of more than 12,000 LGBTQ teenagers across the nation, revealing in distressing detail the persistent challenges so many of them face going about their daily lives at home, at school, and in their communities.
Human Rights Campaign (2018). 2018 LGBTQ youth report. Retrieved from
https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/2018-YouthReport-0514-Final.pdf

Books

Affirmative Counseling with LGBTQI+ People
Misty M. Ginicola, Cheri Smith, and Joel M. Filmore

This current and comprehensive handbook will guide educators, students, and clinicians in developing the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to work effectively with LGBTQI+ populations. Twenty-five chapters written by experts provide direction for working with clients in an authentic, ethical, and affirmative manner that is tailored to their individual strengths, needs, and identity.

Group Counseling with LGBTQI Persons
Kristopher M. Goodrich and Melissa Luke

This unique resource provides strengths-based group counseling strategies designed to meet the needs of LGBTQI clients in a variety of settings. Drs. Goodrich and Luke capture the developmental concerns of LGBTQI individuals throughout the life cycle as they establish and maintain intimate relationships, create families, encounter career concerns, and navigate other milestones and transitions. Illustrative case examples and interventions throughout the text, as well as warnings and recommendations, make this an ideal resource for practice and group work courses.

Casebook for Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons and Their Families
Sari H. Dworkin and Mark Pope

This captivating book contains 31 case studies that focus on what is said and done in actual counseling sessions with LGBTQQI clients, including diagnosis; interventions, treatment goals, and outcomes; transference and countertransference issues; other multicultural considerations; and recommendations for further counseling or training.

Youth at Risk
David Capuzzi and Douglas R. Gross

In the latest edition of this best-selling text, David Capuzzi and Douglas Gross, along with 24 experts in the field provide a prevention–intervention paradigm to address contemporary issues facing today’s youth. Written from a systemic perspective, this book offers guidance in helping teens who are struggling with the complex challenges that can be brought on by peers, family members, and difficult social environments.

Ethical Standards Casebook
Barbara Herlihy and Gerald Corey

The seventh edition of this top-selling text is a comprehensive resource for understanding the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics and applying its principles to daily practice. Each individual standard of the Code is presented with an explanatory case vignette. A study and Discussion Guide is provided at the beginning of each major section of the Code to stimulate thought and discussion. Common ethical concerns, with instructive case studies, are then explored. Chapters new to this edition examine managing value conflicts and the issues surrounding new technology, social media, and online counseling.

A Counselor´s Guide to Working with Men
Matt Englar-Carlson, Marcheta P. Evans, and Thelma Duffey

This book examines a variety of critical issues pertaining to the psychology of men and masculinity and presents successful, evidence-based strategies for treatment. The editors and their contributing authors express an empathic understanding about male socialization and explore why men are often reluctant to seek counseling. Examples and vignettes throughout the text provide clinical relevance, and reflective questions in each chapter encourage readers to explore their own biases and ideas about working with men.

Podcasts

ACA290 - Queer People of Color
Adrienne N. Erby, PhD, NCC and Christian D. Chan, MA, NCC

The presenters discuss Queer People of Color and Intersectionality Issues in Counseling. Dr. Erby and Mr. Chan explain the history of the term “queer people of color” and offer practical suggestions to help counselors better assist clients with unique experiences and cultural identities. Assessment, minority stress, suggestions to help clients and the concept of intersectionality are defined. Finally, the presenters offer suggestions to explore the cultural context as a way for counselors to understand the needs of their clients.

ACA283 - Group Counseling with LGBTQI Persons
Kristopher M. Goodrich, PhD and Melissa Luke, PhD

Where does sexual/affectual identity and gender expression intersect? The authors discuss terms that may be new to some listeners. Group work appears to be a modality that is effective for LGBTQI persons. The authors discuss why that is the case. Ethical considerations are also discussed, along with the disclosure and "coming out."

Learning Modules

ACA and the HRC Foundation offer an educational initiative designed to empower counselors serving the LGBTQ community. This series of free online learning modules focuses on critical skills and insights in counseling LGBTQ youth and young adults on college-and-career readiness concerns.

The four available modules include:

LGBTQ Youth & Young Adults in School, College, and Careers
Preparing For Conversations with LGBTQ Youth
Transgender & Gender-Expansive Counseling Issues
LGBTQ College-and-Career-Readiness Case Studies

“The true success is seeing so many counselors committed to helping the LGBTQ community. We are thrilled counselors are taking advantage of this free resource," Lynn Linde, ACA Senior Director of the Center for Counseling Practice, Policy and Research said.

Click here to learn more or register.

Webinars

Trauma Webinar Series
Clinical, school, and college counselors: This is your chance to explore the increasingly complex topic of trauma across the spectrum of counseling. Learn how to complete a thorough, thoughtful assessment and then dive deeper into timely, specific topics.

ABCs of Trauma: Introductory Session with Stephen Lenz, PhD, LPC
Children and Trauma with Kimberly N. Frazier, PhD
Dissociation and Trauma Spectrum with Mike Dubi, EdD, LMHC
Counseling Refugees with Rachael D. Goodman, PhD, LPC
Human Trafficking with Jared S. Rose, MA, LPC/CR, NCC
Counseling School and College Students with Julie A. Cerrito, PhD, Richard Joseph Behun, PhD, and Eric W. Owens, PhD
Traumatic Stress and Marginalized Groups with Cercie A. West-Olatunji, PhD

Confronting the Darkness: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Suicide Assessment, and Counselor Self-Care After Client Suicide
As a professional counselor, you learn to conduct a suicide assessment in graduate school. How long has it been since you put that knowledge to use? If a suicidal client is sitting before you today, are you confident in your approach to suicide assessment and non-suicidal self-injury (i.e., "cutting")?

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JOURNAL ARTICLES

JOURNAL OF COUNSELING & DEVELOPMENT (JCD)

ACA publishes the Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD) and nine ACA division journals. Explore more than 90 years of research or set up email alerts for specific content related to LGBTQ counseling. To get started, visit the Wiley Online Library. Once you’ve established a user profile, the process is simple and settings can be changed at any time. Note: Current ACA members have full online access to the latest issue of JCD, as well as the JCD archives. Division journals are also fully accessible to current division members. In addition, you can set up Content Alerts for any of the more than 1,500 journals in the Wiley Online Library covering a wide range of topics. Pay a small fee to access full text of specific articles that are relevant to your research or interests.

September 2017

McCullough, R., Dispenza, F., Parker, L. K., Viehl, C. J., Chang, C. Y., & Murphy, T. M. (2017). The counseling experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Journal of Counseling & Development, 95(4), 423-434. doi:10.1002/jcad.12157

October 2016
Singh, A. N., & Moss, L. (2016). Using relational-cultural theory in LGBTQQ counseling: Addressing heterosexism and enhancing relational competencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94,398–404. doi:10.1002/jcad.12098

July 2016
Sells, J. M., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2016). CACREP accreditation, ethics, and the affirmation of both religious and sexual identities: A response to Smith and Okech. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94, 265–279. doi:10.1002/jcad.12083

Smith, L. C., & Okech, J. E. A. (2016). Ethical issues raised by CACREP accreditation of programs within institutions that disaffirm or disallow diverse sexual orientations. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94, 252–264. doi:10.1002/jcad.12082

Smith, L. C., & Okech, J. E. A. (2016). Negotiating CACREP accreditation practices, religious diversity, and sexual orientation diversity: A rejoinder to Sells and Hagedorn. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94, 280–284. doi:10.1002/jcad.12084

October 2015
Ikonomopoulos, J., Smith, R. L., & Schmidt, C. (2015). Integrating narrative therapy within rehabilitative programming for incarcerated adolescents. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93, 460–470. doi:10.1002/jcad.12044

October 2014
Greene, D. C., Britton, P. J., & Fitts, B. (2014). Long-term outcomes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender recalled school victimization. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92, 406–417. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00167.x

Whisenhunt, J. L., Chang, C. Y., Flowers, L. R., Brack, G. L., O’Hara, C., & Raines, T. C. (2014). Working with clients who self-injure: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92, 387–397. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00165.x

April 2014
Francis, P. C., Dugger, S. M. (Eds.) (2014) Professionalism, ethics, and value-based conflicts in counseling [Special section]. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92, 148–201.

Bauerband, L. A., & Galupo, M. P. (2014). The Gender Identity Reflection and Rumination Scale: Development and psychometric evaluation. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92, 219–231. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00151.x

Singh, A. S., Meng, S. E., & Hansen, A. W. (2014). “I am my own gender”: Resilience strategies of trans youth. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92, 208–218. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00150.x
COUNSELING AND VALUES (CVJ)

April 2015
McGlasson, T. D., Rubel, D. (2015). My soul to take: A phenomenology of the struggle for an authentic gay spirituality. Counseling and Values, 60, 14–31. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2015.00058.x

October 2014
Rosik, C. H., Popper, P. (2014). Clinical approaches to conflicts between religious values and same-sex attractions: Contrasting gay-affirmative, sexual identity, and change-oriented models of therapy. Counseling and Values, 59, 222–237. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2014.00053.x

April 2014
Wood, A. W., Conley A. H. (2014). Loss of religious or spiritual identities among the LGBT population. Counseling and Values, 59, 95–111. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2014.00044.x
JOURNAL OF ADDICTIONS & OFFENDER COUNSELING (JAOC)

April 2017
Oberheim, S. Tyler; DePue, M. Kristina; Hagedorn, W. Bryce. (2017) Substance use disorders (SUDS) in transgender communities: The need for trans‐competent SUD counselors and facilities. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 38 (4), 33-47, 15p; doi: 10.1002/jaoc.12027

October 2016
Russett, J. L. (2016). Best practices start with screening: A closer look at screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in adolescent, military, and LGBTQ populations. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 37, 116–126. doi:10.1002/jaoc.12020

October 2015
Doumas, D. M., King, M., Stallworth, C., Peterson, P., & Lundquist, A. (2015). Evaluation of a parent-based intervention for at-risk adolescents. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 36, 66–80. doi:10.1002/jaoc.12004

April 2015
Allen, K. R., & Bradley, L. (2015). Career counseling with juvenile offenders: Effects on self-efficacy and career maturity. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 36, 28–42. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1874.2015.00033.x
JOURNAL OF COLLEGE COUNSELING (JCC)

October 2016
Conley, A. H., & Griffith, C. (2016). Trauma-informed response in the age of Title IX: Considerations for college counselors working with survivors of power-based personal violence. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 276–288. doi:10.1002/jocc.12049

July 2016
Buser, J. K., & Gibson, S. (2016). Attachment to God/Higher Power and bulimic symptoms among college women. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 124–137. doi:10.1002/jocc.12036

Goldberg, D. B. (2016). Impact of childhood sexual abuse on college student development: A seven-vectors perspective. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 168–179. doi:10.1002/jocc.12039

April 2016
Aviña, V., & Day, S. X. (2016). Eating disorders: Explanatory variables in Caucasian and Hispanic college women. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 31–44. doi:10.1002/jocc.12029

Bayne, H. B. (2016). Helping gay and lesbian students integrate sexual and religious identities. Journal of College Counseling, 19, 61–75. doi:10.1002/jocc.12031

October 2015
Buser, T. J., Peterson, C. H., & Kearney, A. (2015). Self-efficacy pathways between relational aggression and nonsuicidal self-injury. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 195–208. doi:10.1002/jocc.12014

Whisenhunt, J. L., Chang, C. Y., Brack, G. L., Orr, J., Adams, L. G., Paige, M. R., . .
O’Hara, C. (2015). Self-injury and suicide: Practical information for college counselors. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 275–288. doi:10.1002/jocc.12020

July 2015
Doumas, D. M., & Midgett, A. (2015). Ethnic differences in drinking motives and alcohol use among college athletes. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 116–129. doi:10.1002/jocc.12009

Kress, V. E., Newgent, R. A., Whitlock, J., & Mease, L. (2015). Spirituality/religiosity, life satisfaction, and life meaning as protective factors for nonsuicidal self-injury in college students. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 160–174. doi:10.1002/jocc.12012

Lewis, T. F., & Wahesh, E. (2015). Perceived norms and marijuana use at historically Black colleges and universities. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 130–143. doi:10.1002/jocc.12010

April 2015
DePue, M. K., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2015). Facilitating college students’ recovery through the use of collegiate recovery programs. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 66–81. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2015.00069.x

Hays, D. G., Michel, R. E., Bayne, H. B., Neuer Colburn, A. A., and Myers, J. S. (2015). Counseling with HEART: A relationship violence prevention program for college students. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 49–65. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2015.00068.x

Napper, L. E., LaBrie, J. W., & Hummer, J. F. (2015). Anxiety and the use of alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 21–36. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2015.00066.x

October 2014
Effrig, J. C., Maloch, J. K., McAleavey, A., Locke, B. D., & Bieschke, K. J. (2014). Change in depressive symptoms among treatment-seeking college students who are sexual minorities. Journal of College Counseling, 17, 271–285. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00063.x

Giordano, A. L., & Cashwell, C. S. (2014). Exploring the relationship between social interest, social bonding, and collegiate substance abuse. Journal of College Counseling, 17, 222–235. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00059.x

July 2014
Brownson, C., Becker, M. S., Shadick, R., Jaggars, S. S., & Nitkin-Kaner, Y. (2014). Suicidal behavior and help seeking among diverse college students. Journal of College Counseling, 17, 116–130. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00052.x

Doumas, D. M., Nelson, K., DeYoung, A., & Renteria, C. C. (2014). Alcohol-related consequences among first-year university students: Effectiveness of a web-based personalized feedback program. Journal of College Counseling, 17, 150–162. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00054.x
THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY (CDQ)

December 2016

dickey, l. m., Walinsky, D., Rofkahr, C., Richardson-Cline, K., & Juntunen, C. (2016). Career decision self-efficacy of transgender people: Pre- and posttransition. The Career Development Quarterly, 64,360–372. doi:10.1002/cdq.12071

December 2015
Allan, B. A., Tebbe, E. A., Duffy, R. D., & Autin, K. L. (2015). Living a calling, life satisfaction, and workplace climate among a lesbian, gay, and bisexual population. The Career Development Quarterly, 63, 306–319. doi:10.1002/cdq.12030

December 2014
Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L. (2014). Coming out and job satisfaction: A moderated mediation model. The Career Development Quarterly, 62,358–371. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2014.00088.x

ACA Governing Council Resolutions and Statements

In recent years ACA Governing Council has adopted a number of resolution and advocacy statements in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Approved Advocacy Statement for Transgender and Nonbinary Issues and Concerns - March 25 -27, 2019

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is committed to nondiscrimination and prevention of harassment in all forms (verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological), including protections for all diverse groups including protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals. ACA recognizes the stress and psychological impact of discrimination and is committed to helping counselors advocate for nondiscrimination policies and practices in their schools, colleges/universities, clinical mental health settings, communities, and in the nation. ACA encourages counselors to utilize the American Counseling Association Competencies for Counseling with Transgender Clients, the ACA Advocacy Competencies and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies when working with individuals, their families, and the organizational institutions that are impacted.

Resolution on Reparative Therapy/Conversion Therapy/Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) as a Significant and Serious Violation of the ACA Code of Ethics - December 19, 2017

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Recommended ACA Resources for Assisting LGBTQ+ Clients

LGBTQ+ Focused Hotlines

Counseling Today Articles

Competencies, Practice Briefs, & Other Resources

Books

Podcasts

Learning Modules

Webinars

JOURNAL ARTICLES

JOURNAL OF COUNSELING & DEVELOPMENT (JCD)

COUNSELING AND VALUES (CVJ)

JOURNAL OF ADDICTIONS & OFFENDER COUNSELING (JAOC)

JOURNAL OF COLLEGE COUNSELING (JCC)

THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY (CDQ)

December 2016

ACA Governing Council Resolutions and Statements

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