In order to explore justice or fairness in this case it is helpful to imagine the therapist had one more session and was able to disclose her sexuality to the client. It is apparent from the case that she believed doing so was in the best interest of the patient. Doing so would have created interesting implications for future disclosures or nondisclosures. Choosing to disclose her sexuality to some clients and not others could be rationalized as clinically appropriate differential treatment, however, the counselor would need to explore her own bias, preference and needs when coming to a decision about disclosure with future clients. Although there are no explicit laws or American Counseling Association (ACA) guidelines about disclosing one’s
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I would also like to explore it from my point of view. As a Caucasian male I would need to at the very least acknowledge the White privilege I have always benefitted from even as a gay man. It would be vital to consider that my Latino client may have had a different subjective reality growing up that potentially included racially motivated microaggression, marginalization or racism. It would also be necessary to keep my personal experience as a gay man out of the therapy session. Although it may help me empathize at times it would be crucial to remain objective and not over identify with the client. When going over the client’s history it would be important for me to separate my memory or feelings of isolation during my developmental years from the client’s experience. Overidentification may lead to a misguided desire to provide a corrective experience for a portion of the client’s life that could be therapeutic but potentially problematic. At times through my own exploration and quest for answers I have questioned the psychological implications of homosexuality, however, this would be his exploration. Additionally, my views on homosexuality, autonomy and the importance of being my authentic self that I have arrived to might not apply to the …show more content…
An inexperienced counselor can gain a wealth of information and guidance from a supervisor. If one were to approach an additional professional it would be important to select an objective, impartial party to ensure that they were not selecting someone to feed them the answer they seek. I can see the benefits of talking to a third party, however, if contradictory advice were given between supervisors it would be hard to determine the right path. I myself would have a difficult time going against institutional instruction in a field I have little to no experience. Additionally she should talk about her work situation with someone in the field. I can’t help but think that working in an environment that feels homophobic would not negatively impact someone who identifies as lesbian. Since schools of thought differ on self-disclosure the counselor may want to talk about additional orientations with a peer or supervisor. During the discussions she could explore this desire to share personal information while working within psychoanalytic orientation. Although the psychoanalytic orientation does not condone self-disclosure one thing she does have going for her are the founder’s views on homosexuality; he believed it to be simply a “variation of sexual function” and “nothing to be ashamed of” (Freud, 1992, p.
I would also like to explore it from my point of view. As a Caucasian male I would need to at the very least acknowledge the White privilege I have always benefitted from even as a gay man. It would be vital to consider that my Latino client may have had a different subjective reality growing up that potentially included racially motivated microaggression, marginalization or racism. It would also be necessary to keep my personal experience as a gay man out of the therapy session. Although it may help me empathize at times it would be crucial to remain objective and not over identify with the client. When going over the client’s history it would be important for me to separate my memory or feelings of isolation during my developmental years from the client’s experience. Overidentification may lead to a misguided desire to provide a corrective experience for a portion of the client’s life that could be therapeutic but potentially problematic. At times through my own exploration and quest for answers I have questioned the psychological implications of homosexuality, however, this would be his exploration. Additionally, my views on homosexuality, autonomy and the importance of being my authentic self that I have arrived to might not apply to the …show more content…
An inexperienced counselor can gain a wealth of information and guidance from a supervisor. If one were to approach an additional professional it would be important to select an objective, impartial party to ensure that they were not selecting someone to feed them the answer they seek. I can see the benefits of talking to a third party, however, if contradictory advice were given between supervisors it would be hard to determine the right path. I myself would have a difficult time going against institutional instruction in a field I have little to no experience. Additionally she should talk about her work situation with someone in the field. I can’t help but think that working in an environment that feels homophobic would not negatively impact someone who identifies as lesbian. Since schools of thought differ on self-disclosure the counselor may want to talk about additional orientations with a peer or supervisor. During the discussions she could explore this desire to share personal information while working within psychoanalytic orientation. Although the psychoanalytic orientation does not condone self-disclosure one thing she does have going for her are the founder’s views on homosexuality; he believed it to be simply a “variation of sexual function” and “nothing to be ashamed of” (Freud, 1992, p.