Counselors’ Responsibilities
Because myths and stereotypes pervade our culture and influence our thinking and our behaviors, it is important for counselors to be aware of them and to help their lesbian clients not be further injured by them. This means counselors need to assess their beliefs in the myths so they do not impose them on their clients. Counselors need to be able to help their lesbian clients deal with the effects of homophobia and heterosexism as they affect their clients’ recovery. All people struggling to recover from alcoholism or drug addiction are vulnerable and easily hurt and can relapse when wounded or unsupported. Negative experiences can undermine or destroy the strength necessary to recover. An informed and sensitive counselor can make an enormous difference in a lesbian client’s treatment and recovery.