In in-depth interviews, eight lesbians talked about their interactions
with social workers and other helping professionals and how they felt
about their experiences. The themes that emerged included the fear of
rejection and the need for feelings of safety and trust and for further
education of professionals that affirms lesbians' lives. The participants
also suggested what helping professionals can do to make lesbians'
experiences with them more helpful, empowering, and respectful.
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