Helping families with homosexual children: a model for counseling

Adolescence is a stressful time for many children and identification as homosexual adds to the frustration normally experienced during this period of development. The processes of coming out and disclosing this homosexual identity, while often difficult, are necessary if the adolescent is to develop a stable sexual identity. In families where disclosure has occurred, feelings of regret, confusion, and denial are common; in order to deal with these feelings, many families seek professional help. It is important the therapist working with these family systems has an understanding of homosexuality, positive attitudes towards homosexuality, and an appropriate counseling model to use with these family systems. A counseling model based on problem-solving communication-training (Robin & Foster, 1984, 1989), meant as a framework upon which professionals can build, is presented; professional attitudes, assessment processes, and goal setting are also discussed.