Influences of training and personal experiences on counselor trainees' GLBT ally development: A case study

Abstract

The goal of this multiple case study was to investigate straight counseling students' perceptions of their preparation to work with GLBT clients. For this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six straight counselor education students from two universities. Pattern matching analysis revealed that students with significant exposure to GLBT individuals, as well as those who believed their training provided adequate preparation for GLBT counseling, were more likely to adopt a GLBT-affirmative identity and to experience greater self-efficacy about counseling with GLBT individuals. In addition, thematic analysis revealed seven themes of participants' experiences that fell into four categories. Ideas for counselor educators to incorporate experiential learning into their programs are offered. © 2013 Shannon L. Lynch, Rick A. Bruhn, Richard C. Henriksen, Jr., and Nova Southeastern University.