This fall the University will offer therapy groups for gay and lesbian students to address such issues as coming out, dealing with homophobia and maintaining relationships.

Officials from Counseling and Psychological Services said therapy groups were proposed at a Feb. 6 meeting between two members of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance and Joe Mangine and Sue Gibson from CAPS.

There is interest among CAPS staff members to organize and lead such therapy groups, said Gibson, co-director of crises and intervention services for CAPS.

CAPS contacted LGSA after two of its members voiced concern during a Commission for Women meeting last month, said Dennis Heitzmann, director of CAPS.

"This is the beginning of what we hope will be an on-going dialogue," Gibson said.

CAPS counselors will be encouraged to increase their knowledge of gay and lesbian issues by attending conferences and workshops, Heitzman said.

Presently LGSA provides a peer support group for gay and lesbian students, but members say they do not have the expertise to handle more severe emotional problems people might have, said member Brian McKernan.

Gibson said it would be valuable for CAPS staff members to attend a couple of LGSA's support groups each year to lend their expertise during the discussion or give presentations on specific issues affecting the gay community.

LGSA members say most students have positive experiences with CAPS but there is room for improvement.

One of the request LGSA members made during the meetings was that a list of gay affirmative counselors be available for referrals. An affirmative counselor would provide counseling for gay or lesbian people free of stereotypes and moral judgements, said Jeff Kemp, LGSA member.

LGSA members are often asked to make referrals especially for students who are in the coming out process, McKernan said.

However, Heitzmann said a list of affirmative counselors is not possible because it would prevent CAPS counselors from gaining experience with gay and lesbian issues.

Gibson added there is no way to guarantee that a student will have a good experience with any specific counselor.

There is interest in making the first therapy group center around developing and maintaining relationships, Gibson said.

Maintaining same-sex relationships can be difficult because modifying behavior to conform to society's expectations is a source of anxiety, Kemp said.

Stressful conditions also arise because few role models or guidelines for same sex dating exist, he said.

CAPS is open to suggestions on the format and make up of future therapy groups, Gibson said.

Harassment and intolerance can make a gay or lesbian student feel alienated and victimized which can result in anxiety and depression, Heitzmann said.

The need for counseling for some gay and lesbian students is increased by the University's conservative environment, which can be inhospitable toward gay and lesbian students, he said.

Although many students have good experiences with CAPS, creating specific therapy programs is one way the University can acknowledge the gay population and alleviate intolerance, Kemp said.

"The University has a responsibility to help its students. A lot of times the needs of gay and lesbian students are overlooked," he said.