Being a social worker is a rewarding thing. You work with a very diverse group of people with
different disabilities and cultural differences which requires a lot of patience and understanding.
One area which requires the same patience and understanding is the LGBTQ community where
social workers are just as important.
In this article, we’ll talk about how it’s important for social workers to be open minded and
prepare to support their LGBTQ clients when it comes to helping them with their disability or
other struggles they face.
Understanding LGBTQ Client Needs
In order to support clients, it’s important to understand their needs and what they deal with on a
daily basis. Unfortunately the LGBTQ community faces a lot of backlash with the following
issues:
● Discrimination and stigma: Many LGBTQ individuals tend to encounter discrimination
in a number of settings which can include housing, employment, and healthcare.
● Mental health issues: In the LGBTQ community, clients may feel more anxiety,
depression and suicidal ideation which comes from the discrimination and pressures of
society.
● Identity development: Some clients may have trouble identifying what gender identity
or sexual orientation they support. This is made difficult when the surrounding
environment isn’t as supportive as it should be.
Recognizing these needs are important for social workers to provide an informed, empathetic
and supportive environment.
How to Prepare to Work With LGBTQ Clients
Many individuals can gain access to LGBTQ training for social workers in order to help prepare
them when they’re working with the LGBTQ community. Some key areas which could help
prepare you are:
● Legal and policy awareness: In some states or countries there’s laws and policies
which may affect your LGBTQ client’s rights and overall protection. These can influence
how they access services or how they experience a service. You could also be trained to
advocate on behalf of your client if you feel they are being discriminated against while
you’re working with them.
● Build a safe and inclusive environment: Work with your LGBTQ client to build a safe
environment for them to talk to you if they feel they need to. Train yourself of the
pronoun differences and how to use positive and affirming language when working with
your client.
● Mental health support strategies: Become familiar with mental health support
strategies to help a client who has had trauma in the past due to discrimination. Become
aware of the resources available such as support groups, community organizations and
mental health resources so you can reach out to them on behalf of your client if they give
permission to.
● Understand cultural sensitivity: There are many LGBTQ clients who have different
cultural backgrounds and sensitivities. By incorporating and training yourself on cultural
humility and sensitivity you have the ability to accommodate your client without offending
them in any way.
Endnote
When it comes to having clients in the LGBTQ community, social workers may need to be more
informed on what their client may be dealing with and how it’s impacted them. By taking the time
to really understand your client, you have the ability to provide appropriate support for your
client no matter what needs they may require.
