GAY AND LESBIAN CLIENTS SELECTION OF THERAPISTS AND UTILIZATION OF THERAPY

A national survey of 392 gay men and lesbians who had seen at least on e therapist revealed that 41% of the therapists they saw in the 1990s were gay, lesbian, or bisexual; 63% had been screened for gay-affirmat ive attitudes by respondents before being selected, Prescreening was a ssociated with higher therapist ratings. The methods clients reported using for therapist screening are presented. Data from 81 heterosexual and 81 matched gay and lesbian respondents revealed that gay and lesb ian clients reported seeing more therapists and seeing therapists for longer duration than matched heterosexual clients.