Identifying Counselor Competencies for Working with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study used a modified Delphi technique to identify knowledge, attitude, and skill components of counselor competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. Twenty-two expert panelists identified 274 areas of knowledge, 120 attitudes, and 146 skills necessary to work effectively with LGB clients. These items were classified into 31 knowledge, 23 attitude, and 31 skill categories by the research team. Thirty-two expert panelists rated the categories based on importance for counselor competence with LGB clients. Based on experts' responses, titles of several categories were adjusted and three new categories were proposed. The implications of the findings for training and assessment are discussed.