Deaf and Queer at the Intersections: Deaf LGBTQ People and Communities

The issue of sexual orientation in conjunction with deaf identities has not been extensively studied. In this chapter, a clinical psychologist and a licensed professional counselor, both of whom are deaf, have canvassed current literature to provide the reader with an overview of this topic. They intricates on how LGBTQ identities become socially medicalized and minoritized, how development of these identities occurs, the diversity as well inequity within this multifarious and electric group of individuals, the multiple oppressions experienced by many LGBTQ who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and the intersectional issues especially confronted by certain Deaf LGBTQ groups, including people of color and transgender youth and adults. They rely on the lenses of social justice and intersectional analysis to buttress their points.

Lessons Learned from Designing and Leading Multidisciplinary Diabetes Educational Groups

Diabetes is a serious health condition that significantly impacts physical and emotional well-being. Working with primary care providers, clinical mental health counselors have an opportunity to contribute to its efficacious treatments. Researchers and clinicians have suggested a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes care may be useful. To increase knowledge and awareness about the use of collaborative care models for diabetes care, the authors—a licensed professional counselor and a family physician—share lessons learned from their experiences designing and cofacilitating a series of multidisciplinary-led diabetes groups in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The series covered education, support, and self-management techniques related to diabetes care. All 57 participants were asked to complete a program evaluation survey. All 29 participants who did so (100%) reported having a better understanding of diabetes, and 21 (71%) reported applying what they had learned (e.g., increasing exercise and making better nutritional choices). Implications for counselors in practice and research are discussed.