The Queer Experience of School Counselors: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Although a vast amount of research now exists concerning the provision of competent counseling services to LGBTQ+ clients and students, a gaping aperture remains in the literature regarding the experiences of counselors who identify as LGBTQ+. This gap in the literature is especially evident for the profession of school counseling. In this study, we employed the qualitative research design of interpretative phenomenological analysis to delve into the lived experiences of six school counselors who self-identify as LGBTQ+ and the meanings they ascribed to their experiences. Although each participant provided a unique voice and perspective, several common themes emerged that could help provide a better understanding of these populations. Data analysis yielded four superordinate themes: systemic, historical, and cultural context; experiencing queerphobia; personal and professional identity and expression; and enhanced counseling abilities. The results illuminate both the forces operating against these school counselors and the unique strengths that they bring to the counseling profession.