INTEGRATING SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN CAREER COUNSELING - ACTING TO END AFORM OF THE PERSONAL-CAREER DICHOTOMY

Ignoring sexual orientation in career counseling practice is presented as a specific case of failing to integrate an aspect of the personal dimension into career counseling. Three case examples illustrate speci fic actions that career counselors must take to integrate this importa nt aspect of the personal dimension into career counseling. The action s suggested involve three general areas: (a) signaling lesbian and gay affirmation in career counseling practice, (b) enhancing the developm ent of a positive gay or lesbian identity in the context of career dev elopment work, and (c) recognizing and integrating the reality of anti -gay stigma in career counseling.