Using Motivational Interviewing to Support the Coming Out Process

Abstract

Despite the significance of coming out for many sexual minority individuals, the literature contains few resources for service providers who are attempting to support clients with decisions of if, when, and how to come out. Given the focus of motivational interviewing on resolving ambivalence, motivational interviewing is uniquely situated among clinical interventions to support individuals who are making these decisions. This study aims to (a) summarize the mental health needs of coming out individuals, (b) describe existing adaptations of motivational interviewing to support sexual minority individuals, and (c) apply motivational interviewing tools and strategies to the coming out process, with the intention of improving the quality of services that sexual minority therapy clients receive as they navigate decisions about whether or how to come out.