Prioritizing LGBTQ Clients' Mental Health: How Christian Therapists Resolve Internal Conflicts to Remain Ethical.

This study examines how Protestant Christian therapists in Canada resolve internal conflicts arising from their religious beliefs when working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) clients. It found that therapists who are more open-minded and self-aware tend to intentionally manage these conflicts and employ affirming practices, while those with strongly non-affirming beliefs often lack awareness of the potential harm their biases may cause. The research highlights that seminary and graduate education generally do not adequately prepare therapists to work competently with gender and sexual minorities or to resolve related internal tensions. The study underscores the ethical imperative for Christian therapists to prioritize clients' mental health by addressing their own biases, learning about LGBTQ issues and microaggressions, and fostering affirming therapeutic alliances despite personal religious narratives.