Asking the Right Questions 2: Talking with Clients About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Mental Health, Counselling and Addiction Settings

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, and queer (LGBTTTIQ) people have specific life factors that relate to substance use and/or mental health problems. These factors include “coming out,” gender transition, societal oppression, loss of family support, isolation, and the predominance of bars in LGBTTTIQ communities.

To provide effective addiction and mental health services, therapists/counsellors need to be aware of these life factors in clients. Asking the Right Questions 2 will help service providers create an environment where all clients feel comfortable talking about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Asking the Right Questions 2 includes:

  • interview items that can be used to facilitate discussion during assessment or early in treatment
  • an assessment form and guide to be used with a standard substance use, mental health, or other service assessment
  • background information to help clinicians use the ARQ2 guide
  • a glossary of concepts and terms