Psychotherapy of nonheterosexual people from the perspectives of therapists and patients : bilateral expectations and concerns

Aim. The aim of the study was to show the differences in declared therapeutic goals and priorities, and in concerns about the therapeutic process, between LGB (lesbians, gays and bisexual people) people and psychotherapists. Methods. Participants from both groups fulfilled semi-structured questionnaire, which was anonymously available on-line through the link sent together with the invitation to participate in the study. LGB people were contacted through the biggest Internet site for non-heterosexual people in Poland. The invitation was also sent to the psychotherapists, members of the Polish Psychiatric Association. The questions and responses in both versions of the questionnaire were formulated in that way, so as to enable adequate comparisons. Results. The two most important therapeutic goals for respondents in both groups were: help in the acceptance of sexual orientation and emotional support with the difficulties of living in a hostile environment. The most common concerns for LGB people were that psychotherapists might attempt to change their sexual orientation, whereas for psychotherapists, the most common concern was that they would be helpless in the face of the social situation of LGB people. Conclusions. Psychotherapists and LGB people basically agreed upon the therapeutic aims of psychotherapy. The adverse social situation of non-heterosexual people in Poland is a source of their concerns about the psychotherapeutic relations. On the other side the concerns of psychotherapists seem to correspond to some degree with the concerns of LGB people. They both reflect the society, which still struggles with heterosexism and homophobia.