Sexual Orientation Dynamics in Clinical Training

Professional and ethical guidelines and the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology are clear that training programs must understand and respect cultural differences and educate students about issues of diversity, including sexual orientation. Although sexual orientation is socially constructed, it is connected to heterosexual privilege and experiences of oppression for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and other sexual minority individuals. Thus, it has important implications for trainees and the clients with whom they work. Sexual orientation dynamics in clinical training, then, involve nurturing sexual minority students and developing the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary for trainees (regardless of sexual orientation) to work effectively and ethically with clients of all sexual orientations. This entry examines how environment, knowledge, ...