Definition:

Sexual orientation is one component of a person's identity, which is made up of many other components, such as culture, ethnicity, gender, and personality traits. Sexual orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction that a person feels toward another person.

Sexual orientation falls along a continuum. In other words, someone does not have to be exclusively homosexual or heterosexual, but can feel varying degrees of attraction for both genders. Sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime-different people realize at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Counseling Options:

Chapin & Russell Associates supports the American Counseling Association adoption of a resolution that states that it: opposes portrayals of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and adults as mentally ill due to their sexual orientation; and supports the dissemination of accurate information about sexual orientation, mental health, and appropriate interventions in order to counteract bias that is based on ignorance or unfounded beliefs about same-gender sexual orientation. Further, at its 1999 World Conference, ACA adopted a position opposing the promotion of "reparative therapy" as a "cure" for individuals who are homosexual.

All services offered to the GLBT population are based on respect and recognition of the difficulties that are faced by these individuals in their families and community.

Links:

• LGBT Health
• Psych Page
• PFlag for Parents
• LGBT Center Directory