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This phenomenological study explored the academic and career experiences of 10 intersex people. Researchers conducted the study to share knowledge with counselors and other helping professionals about the importance of validating intersex personhood during the school-age years and in work settings. Five findings were uncovered: (a) coping as intersex, (b) range of feelings, (c) gender identity development, (d) bullying at school and work, and (e) body problems. This article reports on specific needs and recommendations of this self-identified sample and includes implications for education and counseling practice, along with limitations and recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the potential impact of a training program on graduate counseling students' competency to serve lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. In this pilot study, the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS; Bidell, 2005) was administered to students enrolled in a counselor education program. Results indicated that the training program had a positive impact upon the competency areas of knowledge and skills as measured by the SOCCS. The benefits of incorporating an LGB counselor competency component in training modules to serve the LGB community are discussed. Ways for counselor educators and supervisors to enhance their own LGB competencies and help their student's ability to meet the needs of LGB clients are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being able to work effectively with clients from diverse backrounds has become a necessity in goodcounseling practice. Professional associations have acknowledged this in recent years by identifying and articulating multicultural competencies that inform both the practice of counseling, but also the training of counselors. Specific attention to competencies in working with LGBT clients has been identified as a sub-set of these overall cultural competencies. In this paper, leaders within the Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling present specific ways in which counselors can provide culturally sensitive counseling to sexual minority clients and their families that are in line with the counselor training guidelines established by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]