International LGBTQ+ clients frequently encounter multiple minority stressors,
including stigma, discrimination, and persecution in their home countries (Nerses
et al., 2005; Nakamura & Logie, 2020). This is no different in for LGBTQ
individuals living across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This session
explores the unique challenges of providing psychological counseling to LGBTQ+
communities and individuals living across the MENA diaspora, emphasizing the
intersection of cultural humility, empathy, and ethics. Practitioners already
navigate complex dynamics, including local attitudes, laws, and social norms,
while striving to maintain a commitment to affirming, inclusive care (McGinley &
Horne, 2020; Nieder et al., 2020). Professional strategies for managing ethical
dilemmas, particularly when cultural values conflict with professional ethical
standards, and consider how principles of liberation psychology can guide practice
by recognizing and building upon the resilience of international LGBTQ+
communities. Participants will learn practical strategies for ensuring informed
consent and reducing cultural biases. By equipping attendees with tools to provide
ethically sound, liberatory empathetic care, this presentation aims to enhance
clinical competence and foster inclusive practices that honor the diverse identities
and experiences of international LGBTQ+ clients in a globalized context.