Summary

The second edition of the Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients serves to build on areas of knowledge outlined in the first edition while also incorporating new and emerging areas of scholarship relative to psychotherapy with LGB clients. The second edition focuses on the complex cultural contexts of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, the provision of psychotherapy to LGBT clients across a range of presenting concerns, and emerging socio/political issues.

In this thoroughly updated edition, the editors focus critical attention on the need to enhance our understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients. They incorporate new and emerging areas of scholarship and reflect on implications of recent changes in our society, including political struggles for gay civil unions, marriage, and adoption rights. This volume focuses on the complex cultural contexts of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and explores how to provide them with effective psychotherapy across a range of presenting concerns. The authors stress the importance of affirmation with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients throughout. This second edition of the Handbook will be an essential resource for all therapists, counselors, and researchers.

The first edition of the Handbook received the 2001 Distinguished Book Award by Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues). With the adoption of the Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients (APA Division 44/Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns, 2000), there is increased interest and attention to areas of research and practice with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.