017. Sexual Identity and Faith: Helping Clients Find Congruence

Summary 

This workshop is on Narrative Sexual Identity Therapy, a client-centered, identity-focused approach to navigating conflicts between one’s same-sex sexuality and religious identity. Christians who struggle with a conflict between their sexual and religious identities have few options available. This training will include ethical and legal issues related to sexual and religious identity conflicts within the context of the counseling relationship that can affect psychologists and licensed mental health professionals. In addition, attendees will learn to be respectful and helpful to clients as they achieve congruence with their faith and sexual orientation. 

Learning Objectives 

Participants will: 

1. Apply knowledge about common milestone events in the formation of sexual identity to assessment in clinical practice of a licensed mental health professional or psychologist 
2. Develop competence in helping clients navigate sexual and religious identity conflicts in a client-centered manner 
3. Identify dominant stories (problem narratives) from multiple sources of influence in a client’s life