Mental health professionals’ pathologization of compulsive sexual behavior: Does clients’ gender and sexual orientation matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Klein ◽  
Peer Briken ◽  
Johanna Schröder ◽  
Johannes Fuss
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Compulsive Sexual Behavior

scholarly journals Affirmative competence and practices of mental health professionals with LGB clients: An Ibero-American study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s906-s906
Author(s):  
H. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionThere are not many studies about affirmative competence and practices among mental health professionals working with lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual (LGB) clients.ObjectivesThe objectives of this research are to assess the levels of affirmative competence and practices of professionals in Ibero-American countries.AimWe aim to compare differences regarding gender, country of origin, religious beliefs, political orientation, sexual orientation, age, education, marital status, and possessing specific training related to working with LGB clients, in order to determine the predictive association of the variables under study.MethodsThe sample consists of 630 therapists from various countries various Ibero-American countries: 23% from Portugal, 23.2% from Brazil, 19.1% from Spain, 6.7% from Mexico, 6.7% from Argentina and 18.6% from other countries. Ages ranged from 19 to 75 years old, with a mean age of 41.46 years. The socio-demographic questionnaire, the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale, and the Affirmative Practice Questionnaire were the measures used.ResultsThe results show statistically significant differences when comparing marital status, sexual orientation, political orientation, religious beliefs, level of education, and specific training concerning LGB issues. Age, gender, and country of residence show no statistically significant differences. The linear regression model demonstrates that there is a significant predictive value between affirmative competence and practices with LGB clients.ConclusionsThis study indicates that mental health professionals should undergo some type of academic or professional training and/or possess experience in regards to working with LGB clients, in order to enhance their approach when working with this population.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

New Identities for the New Century

2001 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Freud
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Static Structure ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Many

In view of our postmodern Zeitgeist, and our shrinking world, we come upon identity as a concept that needs to be reconsidered. This paper examines the various categories that constitute identity, such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, race and even family. Each category forms a collection of values. These categories are viewed as socially constructed, usually with fuzzy boundaries, and have often been used for malignant purposes such as warfare, persecution, and discrimination. If people become identified with only one or two categories, either out of choice or through coercion, the identification negates the many elements that constitute the self, and it may lead to hostility and warfare against all “outsiders.” Identity is not viewed as a static structure, since different categories become foreground or background, depending on social, political, and historical circumstances. The author uses her own identity-voyage to illustrate her thoughts. Mental health professionals should try to propagate manifold categories for many-sided selves that will avoid pitting groups of people against each other and promote inclusive rather than exclusive identities. Therapists should be in the forefront in dialogues about values for the new century and this paper is a step in this direction.

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