Open AccessCounseling Older LGBTQ+ Adults of Color: Relational-Cultural Theory in Practice
Author(s) -
Christian D. Chan,
Camille D. Frank,
Melisa DeMeyer,
Aishwarya Joshi,
Edson Andrade Vargas,
Nicole Silverio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the professional counselor
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2164-3989
DOI - 10.15241/cdc.11.3.370
Subject(s) - women of color , lesbian , psychology , oppression , minority stress , mental health , transgender , queer , people of color , invisibility , operationalization , gender studies , psychological resilience , social psychology , sexual orientation , sexual minority , psychotherapist , sociology , race (biology) , philosophy , physics , optics , epistemology , politics , political science , law
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities have faced a history of discriminatory incidents with deleterious effects on mental health and wellness. Compounded with other historically marginalized identities, LGBTQ+ people of color continue to experience disenfranchisement, inequities, and invisibility, leading to complex experiences of oppression and resilience. Moving into later stages of life span development, older adults of color in LGBTQ+ communities navigate unique nuances within their transitions. The article addresses the following goals to connect relational–cultural theory (RCT) as a relevant theoretical framework for counseling with older LGBTQ+ adults of color: (a) explication of conceptual and empirical research related to older LGBTQ+ adults of color; (b) outline of key principles involved in the RCT approach; and (c) RCT applications in practice and research for older LGBTQ+ adults of color.