There are several teens in today’s society that struggle with the role of their identity as gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender. These children often suffer a great amount of stress, confusion, worry, and they often experience feelings of not belonging by their peers and family members. This may cause the teens to turn to substance abuse, depression, or even harming themselves to the point of death. In this literature, Carl Rogers’s (1987) states that, “personal-centered therapy is applied in working with teens who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender.” This literature focuses on the positive and confined benefits of individual therapy in working in steps with teens in helping them to accept their identity of being gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender.
During this study of the identity of gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender teens, Cass (1979, 1996) demonstrated, “identity development by a series of stages such as: identity confusion, identity comparison, identity tolerance, identity acceptance, identity pride, and identity synthesis. This literature shows that counselors build a rapport with teens during person-centered counseling, and this makes the individual feel comfortable about their identity.” Allowing these teens to see their side of the story, how they identity themselves, and their personal growth expresses how individual counseling is beneficial. Raskin and Rogers (2000) stated that, “when constructive changes occur, it allows the client to overcome his or her psychological distress, and the counselor must follow the basic steps of person-centered counseling: unconditional positive regard, congruence, and empathy.“
This article also focuses on methods to use for the confined side of individual therapy, when the gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender youth is not fully acceptance their identity, and their thoughts about society thinking of them in a negatively. The counselor must be prepared to help the youth become mentally prepared to release their identity, and be mentally prepared to understand what may come after the disclosure from society.
According to this study, youth who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender must feel comfortable with themselves before disclosing their identity to society. It is shown that the use of empathy, positive regard and congruence leads to the positive results of individual or person-centered counseling. It is proven that the youth has to be comfortable with self and society. It is also shown to be important for the youth to be mentally prepared for disclosure of their identity, and the reaction from society, which can be negative or accepting in today’s day and age. When a counselor builds rapport, and allows the client to see themselves and their opportunity to advance, this deems as a positive approach to individual counseling.
The results of this study support gender inclusion, and the positive approach that practitioners take to treatment. Counselors can be accepting, and provide the necessary therapy for their client's current diagnosis while addressing gender identity. Building a supportive and trusting therapy environment will enhance the client's feelings toward acceptance of self and the environment around them.
Cass, V. (1979). Homosexual identity formation: A theoretical model. Journal of Homosexuality, 4, 219–235.
Cass, V. (1996). Sexual orientation identity formation: A Western phenomenon.
In R. P. Cabaj & T. S. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of homosexuality and mental health (pp. 227–251). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Lemoire, S. Jim; Chen, Charles P.. Journal of Counseling & Development, Spring 2005, Vol. 83 Issue 2, p146-154, 9p.
Raskin, N. J., & Rogers, C. R. (2000). Person centered therapy. In R. J. Corsini & D. Wedding (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (6th ed., pp. 133–167). Itasca, IL: Peacock
Rogers, C. (1987). The underlying theory: Drawn from experiences. The underlying theory: Drawn from experiences with individuals and groups. Counseling and Values, 32, 38–45.
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