Cynthia H. Owen-Matthews Carmen F. Salazar Texas A&M University-Commerce

1. An Integrative Model for Helping Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Negotiate the Coming-out Process: Empowerment and Advocacy Cynthia H. Owen-Matthews Carmen F. Salazar Texas A&M University-Commerce

2. Foundation for Effective Intervention • Counselors can help LGB adolescents negotiate the process more effectively if they are aware of factors which can contribute to a positive coming-out process

3. Suicide 47% have attempted 27% have attempted more than once 37% have seriously thought about suicide in last 12 months Youth First Texas 2008 Survey of LGB Youth • Sexual Behavior • 16% have survival sex • 43% have been forced to have sex • 50% do not use protection • 40% have never been tested for STDs (10% know have STD) • Family Life • 85% have come out to family • 19% do not feel safe coming out to family • 42% abused by family member • 26% kicked out due to sexual identity • Coping Methods • 35% smoke 38% start fights • 90% use alcohol 36% cutting • 29% use pot 43% eating disord. • 30% use cocaine 53% therapy • 22% use heroine -for depression • 17% been to rehab & anxiety

4. General Systems Model INPUTS P R O C E S S E S OUTPUTS FEEDBACK

5. An Integrative Model for Counselors Helping LGB Youth Through the Coming-Out Process Counselor Strategies and Interventions Addressing Personal Homophobia Openly Accepting and Being Supportive of LGB youth Getting Training re: LGB Issues; i.e., knowing stages of development Working With Parents As Needed – educating, conflict management, etc. Addressing family issues, peer issues, school environment, Addressing religious issues/beliefs Addressing issues of race/culture Addressing previous counseling exp. Providing Resources (i.e., literature and support groups) Specific Techniques: Role Playing, Reframing issues Social Advocacy/Policy Changes Client Inputs Client Outputs Internal Factors: Sexual-Identity Stage Internalized Feelings of Homophobia Self Esteem/Acceptance Mental Health Behaviors External Factors Family Environment School/Peer Environment Access to LGB Support Network Race/Culture Religion Previous Counseling Experience Self Esteem/ Self Acceptance Mental Health Behaviors Family Support Peer Support LGB Community Support Institution Support Religion/Schools Gender Identity Acceptance/Integration Coming Out Process Continued Support as Needed

6. Client Inputs: Client’s World Helps Counselor Determine Interventions/Strategies Religion Sexual-Identity Stage *Identity Confusion *Identity Comparison *Identity Tolerance *Identity Acceptance (disc) *Identity Pride *Identity Synthesis *Cass (1984) Race/Culture Access to LGB Support Network School/Peer Environment Internalized Feelings of Homophobia Family Environment Self Esteem & Acceptance Previous Counseling Experience Key: Mental Health Behaviors Internal Factors External Factors

7. Counselor Strategies and Interventions: Getting Training re: LGB Issues; i.e., knowing stages of development Addressing Personal Homophobia Openly Accepting and Being Supportive of LGB youth Working With Parents As Needed – educating, conflict management, etc. Addressing family issues, peer issues, school environment, Addressing religious issues/beliefs Addressing issues of race/culture Addressing previous counseling experience Providing Resources (i.e., literature and support groups) Specific Techniques: Role Playing, Reframing issues Social Advocacy/ Policy Changes

8. Client Outputs Self Esteem/ Self Acceptance Mental Health Behaviors Family Support Peer Support LGB Community Support Institution Support Religion/Schools Gender Identity Acceptance/Integration Coming Out Process Continued Support as Needed

9. Jerry: A Case Study • 17 year old • Hispanic • Catholic • Gay Male • Working 3 part time jobs • Quit school at 16 due to being bullied • Attends a weekly GLBT youth support group • Referred to counseling for depression and anger issues • Previous Counseling experience (x2)

10. Internal Factors External Factors Religion *raised Catholic *told he is evil *Wicca Sexual-Identity Stage *Identity Tolerance/Identity Acceptance Race/Culture *Hispanic *looked down upon Access to LGB Support Network *LGBT youth group weekly meetings *Family meetings Has Internalized Feelings of Homophobia/Anger Previous Counseling Experience *2 different counselors *”Reparative therapy” Self Esteem & Acceptance Low Mental Health Behaviors *cutting *suicide attempts *drug & alcohol attempts *journalizing *meditation Family Environment *Feels mother, brother and sister-in-law won’t be supportive because of religious beliefs

11. Counselor Strategies and Interventions Psycho-educational regarding stages – Normalizing Feelings Addressing Personal Homophobia Addressing religious issues/beliefs – finding common church for family/himself Wicca practices Specific Techniques: Role Playing, Reframing issues (e.g. anger management) Openly Accepting and Being Supportive of GLBT youth Working With Parents As Needed – educating, conflict management, etc. Addressing issues of race/culture Mental Health Behaviors: meditation, music, journaling Coming Out Process Continued Support as Needed