Issues of homosexuality have and continue to generate an immense debate in the field of psychology. Precisely, the cultural beliefs that people harbour towards homosexuality have in immense implication on psychological treatment of LGBT clients. In a nutshell, there are certain risk factors that tend to hinder provision of adequate treatment of LGBT clients. More importantly, there exists persistent claims held by various researchers that LGBT clients are more likely to engage in drug and substance abuse. This is evident by recent research statistics, which indicate that close to 25% of LGBT persons are heavy alcohol drinkers when compared to approximately 10% of heterosexuals who are heavy alcohol drinkers. This notion is a risk factor in the treatment of LGBT clients in that psychological service providers who harbour this believe are not likely to offer adequate services to the LGBT clients. As a result of this belief, various psychological service providers may not be able to meet the special needs of the LGBT populations (Stewart, 2010). Knowledge on this risk factor will enable psychologist understand that there are cases where LGBT clients engage in drug and substance abuse as a way of coping with prejudice and discrimination levied to them by the heterosexual members of the society. This will aloe psychological professionals to offer adequate solutions that are not limited to substance and alcohol abuse. This will go a long way in management of heavy alcoholism amongst LGBT clients.
In addition, there are other cultural beliefs and attitudes that various people including psychologists have towards LGBT clients, which prejudice the provision of adequate psychological treatment for these clients. In fact, this is a risk factor in the treatment of LGBT clients. As an example, many people regard homosexualism as a mental illness. Therefore, if a psychologist perceive this to be true, they would not provide adequate treatment option for other issues facing these clients. Instead, the treatment options they will provide will be tailored towards solving mental illness amongst the LGBT (Stewart, 2010). Knowledge on this risk factor amongst psychologists enhances provision of adequate treatment for LGBT clients in that it allows psychologists to understand the effects of stigma and discrimination of LGBT clients by the society; hence offer adequate solutions.
Reference
Stewart, C. (2010). The Greenwood encyclopaedia of LGBT issues worldwide. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood Press.
