Information and referral As the topic of LGB youth becomes more commonplace in the public arena, more resources are being created. The healthcare professional who works with LGB youth and their families should have a general awareness of local, state, and national resources that can provide assistance to this population. A comprehensive guide to these resources appears in the Resources section, which covers a wide range of information including youth advocacy, family support, legal advice, and religious and spiritual considerations. Knowing this information and conveying it to LGB youth and their families can provide assistance both during and after the practitioner has ended the professional relationship with the family. At times, a practitioner might be directly involved in the referral process or might provide the information to the youth or family so that they may self-refer. “Outing” the youth or family is a major ethical violation, and specific permission in the form of assent from the youth and consent from the parents is required if disclosing the child’s sexual orientation is directly or indirectly part of the referral. When making the referral directly, it is important to respect confidentiality and foster trust in families for mental health supports. For example, if a school counselor is connecting the family with a therapist who specializes in work with LGB youth, she can specifically ask the family to sign a release allowing her to talk with the therapist. In addition, the Conclusion This course provided an overview of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth development and contemporary issues that affect youth. Additionally, the course provided three models of family therapy (structural family therapy, solution- focused therapy, and narrative therapy) and applied the three therapeutic models to helping the family portrayed in the corresponding vignette. Finally, the course offered brief discussion about additional interventions to assist LGB youth and their families, including crisis intervention, individual therapy, group work, and information and referral. While the models presented here provided the basics of intervention, those interested in implementing these interventions are strongly encouraged to take additional course Resources ● American Academy of Pediatrics Medical organization that provides information, including relating to LGBT youth. Website: http://www.aap.org ● Dulwich Centre International center for narrative therapy and community work. ● Website: http://dulwichcentre.com.au ● Family Acceptance Project Organization focused on interventions with LGBT youth and their families. Website: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/home ● Human Rights Campaign Resource for education and lobbying for the LGBT population. Website: http://www.hrc.org ● It Gets Better Project ● Organization that provides mentorship and support to LGBT youth. Website: http://www.itgetsbetter.org ● Minuchin Center for the Family Organization devoted to training and consultation on structural family therapy. Website: http://minuchincenter.org American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2013). Policy statement: Office-based care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Pediatrics, 132 (1), 198-203. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-1282 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2014). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens: Facts for teens and their parents . Retrieved from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages- stages/teen/dating-sex/Pages/Gay- Lesbian-and-Bisexual-Teens-Facts-for-Teens-and-Their- Parents.aspx References
school counselor can tell the family specifically what she will say, as in “I think it will be helpful to tell the therapist about how coming out has been affecting everyone. That way the therapist can be most helpful.” If a youth wants to be out but his or her parents do not, the school counselor can work with the family to find wording they are comfortable with. If an agreement cannot be reached, the school counselor can simply provide referral information to the family and let them communicate directly with the therapist. Often it is helpful for youth and families to be referred to supports that are geared specifically to LGB youth and their families. This can be very helpful but also challenging because for some people it will be the first time they will attend something that has the potential to “out” them. Examples of such supports are a community or school LGB youth support group or a PFLAG meeting. When referring clients to these resources, it is a good idea to talk with the family about how it will be for them to attend a meeting with other LGB youth or family members. What would be hard about it? How would they handle this? It is also important to note that for some youth whose families are not supportive, they may need to be referred to supports that do not require parental permission and will protect their confidentiality. work on the family therapy models presented as well as to seek additional information on the other interventions described. Further, behavioral health and healthcare professionals are encouraged to be “change agents” in their personal and professional lives with respect to this population. This means that these professionals must constantly be aware of heterosexism and homophobia that occur in society and seek to reduce them, whether by conversing with a colleague or writing a letter to one’s legislator. Indeed, this can apply to any form of prejudice and discrimination that is encountered. The increased attention to the issues facing LGB youth is an encouraging sign, but much work remains to ensure that LGB youth – and their families – are as safe, supportive, and healthy as possible. ● National LGBTQ Task Force Organization devoted to LGBTQ civil rights and policy. Website: http://thetaskforce.org ● Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Resource for support individuals for the LGBTQ population. Website: http://pflag.org ● Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association. Organization devoted to solution-focused brief therapy. Website: http://www.sfbta.org ● The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Organization that provides support for LGBTQ youth in schools. Website: http://www.glsen.org ● The Trevor Project Online resource and hotline that helps youth who are contemplating suicide and provides answers to general questions about youth sexual orientation and gender identity.
Telephone: 866-4.U.TREVOR [866.488.7386] Website: http://www.thetrevorproject.org
American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation & homosexuality . Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ topics/sexuality/orientation.aspx American Psychological Association Council of Representatives. (1997). Resolution on appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation . Chicago, IL: American Psychological Association.
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