Ethical Issues in
Therapy with
LGBTQIA+
Individuals
Addressing Cultural Competence, Respecting Gender
Identity, and Avoiding Pathologization
Introduction
In recent years, the visibility and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights
have seen remarkable advancements, featuring landmark
achievements like marriage equality, anti-discrimination legislation,
and growing acceptance within society. Nonetheless, despite
these positive changes, many LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to
encounter discrimination and prejudice, along with significant
disparities in their mental health. They often experience elevated
levels of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression,
substance abuse, and, tragically, higher rates of suicide. This
highlights the pressing need for therapeutic approaches that are
culturally sensitive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities.
01
Overview of
Professional
Practice of the
LGBTQIA+
Community
1.3 Million
Of the Canadian Population,15+ years
reported being part of the LGBTQIA+
community
77%
sexually and gender diverse youth
have been the target of Bullying.
3 in 10
LGBTQIA+ people reported their mental
health to be fair or poor.
LGBTQIA+
Professional
Practice

Therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals can involve a wide range of mental
health concerns, including but not limited to issues of identity, trauma,
discrimination, anxiety, depression, and coming out.

Therapy may also address challenges specific to the LGBTQIA+
community, such as navigating family relationships, societal
acceptance, and experiences of marginalization or internalized
stigma.

An inclusive and affirming therapeutic approach acknowledges the
client’s gender identity and sexual orientation as central to their
experience.

Therapists are encouraged to create safe, non-judgmental spaces
and engage in practices like using correct pronouns, being aware of
biases, and respecting individuals' identities.
Relevant
Ethical
Principles and
Standards
.
Canadian Counselling
and Psychotherapy
Association (CCPA)
02
Relevant Ethical Principles
01
Beneficence
Beneficence requires
therapists to actively
promote the well-being
of LGBTQIA+ clients by
providing affirming care,
advocating for their
rights, and fostering a
safe therapeutic
environment
02
Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence obligates
therapists to avoid harm,
explicitly prohibiting
harmful practices such as
conversion therapy and
ensuring that their
interventions do not
reinforce stigma or
discrimination
03
Autonomy
Autonomy emphasizes
respect for clients’ right to
self-determination,
empowering them to
define their own identities,
gender expressions, and
life choices without
coercion or imposed
societal norms.
04
Justice, and
societal interest
Justice reinforces the necessity
of treating LGBTQIA+ clients with
dignity, ensuring equitable
access to therapeutic services,
and challenging discriminatory
practices within mental health
systems. It also calls for the
elimination of biases that may
contribute to unequal
treatment.
Relevant Ethical Principles and
Standards
01
Respect for
Diversity and
Inclusion
A2: Respect for Rights.
B9: Respecting
Inclusivity, Diversity,
Difference, and
Intersectionality
E12: Diversity
Responsiveness
02
Confidentiality
and Privacy
B2: Confidentiality
B7: Access to Records
H1: Technology-Based
Administrative
Functions
03
Informed
Consent
B4: Client’s Rights and
Informed Consent
C2: Informed Consent
for Assessment and
Evaluation
E2: Informed Consent in
Supervision
04
Cultural Competence
and Continued
Education
A12: Diversity
Responsiveness
C10: Sensitivity to Diversity
When Assessing and
Evaluating
G8: Self-Development and
Self-Awareness
Relevant Ethical Principles and
Standards
01
Respect for
Diversity and
Inclusion
A2: Respect for Rights.
B9: Respecting
Inclusivity, Diversity,
Difference, and
Intersectionality
E12: Diversity
Responsiveness
02
Confidentiality
and Privacy
B2: Confidentiality
B7: Access to Records
H1: Technology-Based
Administrative
Functions
03
Informed
Consent
04
Cultural Competence
and Continued
B4: Client’s Rights and
Education
Informed Consent
C2: Informed Consent
for Assessment and
Evaluation
E2: Informed Consent in
Supervision
A12: Diversity
Responsiveness
C10: Sensitivity to Diversity
When Assessing and
Evaluating
G8: Self-Development and
Self-Awareness
Key numbers
Prevalence of
LGBTQIA+
Individuals:
Around 4-6% of adults in
the Canada. identify as
LGBTQIA+, with younger
generations reporting
higher percentages.
Transgender
Individuals:
Studies show that
transgender people face
particularly high rates of
mental health struggles. For
example, around 40% of
transgender individuals
report having suicidal
ideation at some point in
their lives, compared to
around 4-6% of the general
population.
LGBTQ+ Youth
LGBTQIA+ youth are at a
significantly higher risk for
mental health issues,
including depression,
anxiety, and self-harm, with
rates of suicide attempts
higher than their nonLGBTQ peers. For example,
around 40% of LGBTQ+
youth seriously consider
suicide, with about 1 in 4
attempting it.
Our
center
Research suggest that LGBTQIA+ individuals
face a higher likelihood of mental health
challenges compared to their heterosexual
and cisgender peers. The rates of conditions
such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and
substance use disorders are significantly
elevated in this population.
Key numbers
5,000
Mercury is the closest
planet to the Sun
50,000
Venus is the second planet
from the Sun
This is a graph
Mercury
Venus
It’s the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus has a
beautiful name
75%
50%
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Our statistics
Mercury
It’s the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus
Venus has a
beautiful name
75%
25%
Follow the link in the graph to modify its data and then paste the new one here. For more info, click here
Our statistics
Mercury
It’s the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus
Venus has a
beautiful name
12%
24%
33%
31%
Mars
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Jupiter
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
Follow the link in the graph to modify its data and then paste the new one here. For more info, click here
Our numbers
Budget
25%
75%
Clinic
$25.70
1 mth
Mercury is the
smallest planet
Avg. price
per patient
Avg. days in
the clinic
People
45 labs
77 unit
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Retailers
labs
Remaining
inventory
A brief story
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the
smallest one in the Solar System
A brief story
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the
smallest one in the Solar System
Milestones reached
2000
1
Earth
It’s the third planet
from the Sun
Mercury
Mercury is the
smallest planet
2
2005
2010
3
Mars
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Jupiter
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
4
2015
2020
5
Neptune
Neptune is far
away from Earth
Milestones reached
2005
2010
2015
2020
Mars
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Jupiter
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
Neptune
Neptune is far
away from Earth
Mercury
Mercury is the
smallest planet
“This is a quote, words full of
wisdom that someone important said
and can make the reader get a lot of
inspiration and new ideas.”
—Someone Famous
“This is a quote, words full of wisdom that
someone important said and can make the
reader get a lot of inspiration and new ideas.”
—Someone Famous
Patient
03 care
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Our process
Mercury
Jupiter
Mercury is the
smallest planet
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
Mars
Neptune
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Neptune is far
away from Earth
Our process
Mercury
It’s the closest planet to the Sun and the
smallest one in the Solar System
Mars
Despite being red, Mars is actually a cold
place. It’s full of iron oxide dust
Venus
Venus has a beautiful name and is the
second planet from the Sun
A picture
is worth a
thousand
words
A picture is worth a thousand words
Our growth
Mercury
Jupiter
Mercury is the
smallest planet
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
Mars
Neptune
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Neptune is far
away from Earth
Calendar
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
Jupiter
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
It’s the biggest planet
in the Solar System
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
Venus
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Areas we cover
Venus
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Mars
Despite being red,
Mars is a cold place
Jupiter
It’s the biggest planet
in the Solar System
Saturn
Saturn is a gas giant
and has several rings
Areas we cover
Mercury
Mars
It’s the closest planet to
the Sun and the smallest
one in the Solar System
Despite being red, Mars
is actually a cold place.
It’s full of iron oxide dust
Venus
Venus has a beautiful
name and is the second
planet from the Sun
Services
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Mercury is the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Mars is actually a very
cold place, not hot
Jupiter
Saturn
Neptune
Jupiter is the biggest
planet of them all
It’s composed of
hydrogen and helium
Neptune is the
farthest planet from
the Sun
Services
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Mercury is the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Mars is actually a very
cold place, not hot
Jupiter
Saturn
Jupiter is the biggest
planet of them all
It’s composed of
hydrogen and helium
04
Results
You can enter a subtitle here if you need it
Key accomplishments
2005
2010
2015
2020
Mercury
Venus
Jupiter
Mars
It’s the closest
planet to the Sun
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Jupiter is the biggest
planet of them all
Mars is actually a
very cold place
Key accomplishments
Mars
Jupiter
Despite being red,
Mars is a cold place
Jupiter is the biggest
planet of them all
Venus
Neptune
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Neptune is far away
from Earth
95%
Big numbers catch your audience’s attention
Innovations
Mercury
Venus
Mars
It’s the closest planet to
the Sun and the smallest
one in the Solar System
Venus has a beautiful
name and is the second
planet from the Sun
Despite being red, Mars
is actually a cold place.
It’s full of iron oxide dust
Innovations
Innovatations
Mercury
Mercury is the
smallest planet
Jupiter is the
biggest planet
Jupiter
Mars is a cold
place, not hot
Venus has a
beautiful name
Awesome
words
Awesome
words
Quality
improvement
measures
Images reveal large amounts of data, so
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reinforces the concept
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Testimonials
Jenna Doe
Sara James
“Despite being red,
Mars is a cold place”
“Venus is the second
planet from the Sun”
Fred Bloggs Anne Bones
“Jupiter is the
biggest planet”
“Neptune is far away
from Earth”
Testimonials
Name
Testimonial
Jenna Doe
“Despite being red, Mars is a cold place”
Fred Bloggs
“Venus is the second planet from the
Sun”
Sara James
“Jupiter is the biggest planet”
Anne Bones
“Neptune is far away from Earth”
Awards
2010
Mars
2015
Venus
2020
Saturn
Despite being red,
Mars is a cold place
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Saturn is a gas giant
and has several rings
Awards
2005
Venus
Neptune
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
Neptune is far away
from Earth
2010
2015
Mars
Saturn
Despite being red,
Mars is a cold place
Saturn is a gas giant
and has several rings
2020
Schedule
Tasks
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Patient satisfaction
Gender
Results
55%
25%
20%
Male
Female
Other
1.
2.
Age
20-30
3/5
31-40
2/5
3.
Mercury
It’s the closest planet to the Sun
Neptune
It’s the farthest planet from the Sun
Mars
Mars is a cold place, not hot
References
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AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
AUTHOR (YEAR). Title of the publication. Publisher
Last conclusions
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun
and the smallest one in the entire Solar
System. This planet's name has nothing to
do with the liquid metal, since Mercury was
named after the Roman messenger god.
Despite being closer to the Sun than Venus,
its temperatures aren't as terribly hot as
that planet's. Its surface is quite similar to
that of Earth's Moon, which means there
are a lot of craters and plains
Speaking of craters, many of them were
named after artists or authors who made
significant contributions to their respective
fields. Mercury takes a little more than 58
days to complete its rotation, so try to
imagine how long days must be there!
Since the temperatures are so extreme,
albeit not as extreme as in Venus, and the
solar radiation is so high, Mercury has been
deemed to be non-habitable for humans
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Jupiter is the
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Mercury
Mercury is the
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Saturn
Saturn is a gas giant with rings
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