ABSTRACT
LGB-affirmative psychotherapy is defined as “therapy that celebrates and advocates the authenticity and integrity of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their relationships” (Bieschke, McClanahan, Tozer, Grzegorek, & Park, 2000, p. 328). Theoretical tenets of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) were applied to LGB-affirmative psychotherapist training to better delineate ways to train psychotherapists in LGB-affirmative practices (Bieschke, Eberz, Bard, & Croteau, 1998). Exposure of psychotherapists and trainees to four sources of self-efficacy (performance accomplishments, vicarious learning, verbal reinforcement, and physiological states/reactions) is posited to foster increases in LGB-affirmative counselor self-efficacy. An optimal level of LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy may serve as a mechanism for implementing LGB-affirmative counseling behaviors and positive therapeutic outcomes, as well as for promoting psychotherapists’ interest in LGB-affirmative psychotherapy.
