Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Questioning Sexual Orientation

Adolescence is accompanied by an emergence of strong sexual feelings that occur while the individual is learning to navigate the social world. For some, questions about sexual orientation and identity are confusing. Therapeutically, adolescents need a safe and value-free environment to understand their internal experiences of admiration, affection, sexual fantasies, and sexual attraction. This article describes a client-centered therapeutic approach in working with questioning adolescents. Gay clients may need additional support in exploring their internal experience, their social environment, coping strategies, and sexual identity development.