Differences in assessment and treatment approaches for homosexual clients.

This study was undertaken to discover the similarities and the differences in assessment and treatment approaches for heterosexual and for homosexual clients. The purpose of the study was to investigate to what extent sexual orientation is incorporated into treatment plans and what effect this had for treatment outcomes. Responses to nine questions were obtained from 50 self-reporting heterosexual and 50 self-reporting homosexual clients of a range of treatment providers. Differences were found at each stage of the assessment and treatment process. There was evidence of sexual orientation not being utilized as a treatment factor. For both groups there was evidence of inadequate significant-other involvement in treatment and post-treatment planning.