Heterosexual Ally Development in Counseling Psychologists

Abstract

Fourteen pre-doctoral psychology interns and psychologists employed in university counseling settings who self-identified as heterosexual were interviewed concerning their experiences and development with ally work in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Guided by the tradition of interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach with constant comparison analysis serving as the strategy for inductive analysis, results indicated a significant variation concerning how the counseling psychologists viewed the ally experience. However, common meaning, challenges, and training experiences within their ally development were evident, with five main themes emerging: (a) ally meaning and essence, (b) ally growth and development, (c) ally challenges, (d) relationship between social justice and training, and (e) diversity within the LGBT community. Results highlight ongoing discussion, research, and training concerning ally development, with particular focus on modeling and mentorship.