Couple and Family Therapy Students' Attitudes Toward Bisexual Clients

Abstract

Few studies have focused on student therapists' beliefs about bisexual clients and the impact of affirmative training on these beliefs. The current study explored 1) the level of experience couple and family therapy (CFT) students have with gay, lesbian and bisexual clients; 2) whether CFT students' levels of biphobia and homophobia differ; and 3) whether LGB affirmative training had an impact on self-reported levels of biphobia. Secondary data were used from data collected through electronic and paper surveys. The results revealed that CFT students have similar levels of experience working with bisexual and lesbian clients, but report significantly lower levels of experience with gay male clients. Furthermore, CFT students reported nearly identical levels of biphobia and homophobia. Finally, the results of this study suggest that more LGB affirmative training was associated with lower levels of self-reported biphobia. The findings of this study support CFT training programs implementing LGB affirmative training.