Isaiah Washington in Counseling

By: Shannon Gossage

A week ago, Washington claimed that he needed help to resolve issues "within my soul" following his anti-gay remarks while on set. He released a statement on Wednesday that read: "With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again. I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally."

Washington’s decision to receive counseling stems from an incident in October in which he reportedly used a "gay slur" to refer to his co-star T.R. Knight during a fight with co-star Patrick Dempsey. Washington reportedly said, "I’m not your little faggot like T.R. Knight." He repeated the slur at the Golden Globes and denied ever using the slur in the first place. Knight appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and confirmed that Washington did, in fact, use the slur and that it actually prompted him to come out of the closet.

Washington has been trying to backtrack since denying the use of the slur. He publicly apologized earlier this week for using the slur and met with GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement released Wednesday that Washington’s use of such a "disturbing word" was a "shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference." The statement continued: "We applaud and encourage Isaiah’s realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues." If he isn’t careful, his character Dr. Preston Burke could have a very tragic accident…keep up the counseling Isaiah…