Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Doctoral Students' Mentoring Relationships with Faculty in Counseling Psychology:

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) doctoral students' mentoring relationships with faculty in counseling psychology. Data from semistructured interviews with 14 LGB participants was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. After submitting a preliminary description to a peer audit, and a "member check," a final description of these LGB doctoral students' mentoring relationships with faculty was constructed. The description included two interactive LGB-specific contextual themes (safety in the training environment regarding LGB issues and students' level of outness/disclosure regarding sexual orientation) that helped shape three themes regarding LGB students' experience of mentoring relationships (formation, functions, and impact). Seven recommendations for faculty mentors are made based on the results, and implications for research are addressed.