ARQ2: Part B - A guide to conversation

Part B should be considered a guide to a conversation.

To be administered with clients who:

identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, MSM, WSW, queer, transsensual, polysexual, unsure or questioning

identify as transsexual, transgendered, FTM, MTF, genderqueer, or intersex.

Part B may also be relevant for clients who:

have a current or past relationship(s) with people of the same gender
identify concerns, questioning, or awkwardness related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

We recommend that Part B be administered either at assessment by the person who will be counselling the client or, if another therapist/counsellor conducts the assessment, at the first or second meeting (early in the counselling/treatment process). However, Part B, or elements of it, can also be used at any point during therapy.

Part B is a set of interview questions to gather information about clients. It should be considered a guide to a conversation. The information you gather should be used in creating the treatment/counselling plan for clients. For example, if someone identifies difficulty with internalized oppression, you may want to ensure that the person’s individual/group therapy includes ways to discuss and resolve these issues.

Clients are more open to answering questions if the questions are posed in a direct, non-confrontational manner. In some cases, you may simply read the question off the page, as written. In other cases, you may find it appropriate to paraphrase.

The items in Part B are meant to identify issues that LGBTTTIQ clients may be dealing with. The items are open-ended questions, to encourage clients to volunteer information they might not realize is important.

Some items may seem to overlap. It may not be necessary to ask every question. Asking all these questions, however, gives the client the chance to discuss all relevant issues.

The content of the items and the sensitivity of the therapist/counsellor are very important. The exact wording and order of the items are less important. Part B should be used as a guide, until you understand the unique issues that are faced by LGBTTTIQ clients with substance use and/or mental health problems.

Validate the concerns expressed by clients. Remember, clients who are marginalized face stress that is hurtful and sometimes traumatic.

Client perceptions

“In the assessment, it worked very well for me, because I realized that it wasn’t just a question of sexuality, but that there might be certain issues for lesbians and gay people that impact on why we use substances or that could be different.”

“If there was something I was holding back and I was uncertain of whether I could feel comfortable talking about it, the fact that the interviewer was going to address that issue would already make it a little more comfortable for me. I would start to think, ‘Gee, maybe not today, but maybe next time, I can talk about this or something.’ ”

Therapist/counsellor perceptions

“Because they don’t feel safe, [clients] never quite say, ‘Yes, I am gay or lesbian.’ And then they get tossed into the general group. And then I meet them four years later, saying, ‘I went to this place or I went to that place, but it didn’t work for me ’cause I never got to deal with my coming out.’ Okay. ‘Well maybe if you’d said that.’ ‘Okay, but they never asked.’ ”

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Asking the Right Questions 2

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Using the manual
Background information:
- Part A — Client Questionnaire
- Part B — Conversation Guide
Counsellor competence
Resources
References
Appendix

ARQ2: Part B - A guide to conversation

Part B should be considered a guide to a conversation.

To be administered with clients who:

Client perceptions

Therapist/counsellor perceptions

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