Affirmative Practice: Understanding and Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons

Today, social work and human services professionals must be prepared to deliver knowledgeable and unbiased services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. For the first time, an unprecedented new resource sheds light on effective practice with LGBT populations. Presented in a thorough and sensitive style, Affirmative Practice delivers an extraordinary study of the history, knowledge, theory, and techniques that provide a framework for affirmative and nonjudgmental practice. Affirmative Practice chronicles the history of LGBT communities and provides an intimate understanding of the LGBT lifestyle from individual, family, and community perspectives. Drawing from extensive research and using clear, crisp writing, the authors examine the cultural, social, political, and legal issues within each community and address special groups along racial, ethnic, and age criteria. This unique and essential text assesses various approaches to therapy and provides tenable practice assessments, goals, and interventions for clinical and community settings. Destined to be a core social work text, Affirmative Practice is a must-read for every practitioner, educator, and student. Special Features * Probes the psychological and social development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons across the life cycle. * Traces the shift from conversionist practice to affirmative practice. * Evaluates therapy models and their usefulness for same-sex, bisexual, and transgender clients.