Psychological Contact (original) (raw)
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) clients have reported experiencing heterosexist/homophobic attitudes from heterosexual therapists, but this has seldom been discussed for gay therapists. Such experiences could impact the therapeutic process and a gay therapist’s willingness to self-disclose their sexuality. Selfdisclosure of sexuality can be therapeutically beneficial for LGBTQ or heterosexual clients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven gay male therapists and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five themes emerged: affinity for working with LGBTQ clients, heterosexual males’ resistance to the therapeutic process, the impact of homophobia within the therapeutic relationship, empathy through shared humanity, and utilizing therapist sexuality as a tool within the therapeutic relationship.
Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy
Sage Handbook for Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2017
Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) therapy is at the forefront of current thinking on working with the more traditionally known LGBT(IQ) (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/sexual, intersex, questioning). This chapter outlines the core ideas.
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) therapists often find it difficult to decide under what circumstances it may or may not be appropriate to self-disclose their sexual orientation to a client. To date there is very little research on the impact of therapist sexuality to draw upon. This paper brings together the extent of this research along with a number of relevant ethical codes, to provide therapists some evidential basis for their behaviour in such situations. The majority of research and the guidance from ethical codes reinforce the proviso that any such self-disclosure should only be done in the interests of the client. There is evidence that there can be benefits to the therapeutic relationships when LGB therapists self-disclose their sexuality to LGB clients. Less is known about the impact of self-disclosure to heterosexual clients. Whether the therapist is comfortable disclosing his/her sexuality and whether it is deemed appropriate within the context of therapy are also important considerations. This paper concludes with a number of considerations to take into account when considering self-disclosing sexuality.
STRAIGHT THERAPISTS WORKING WITH LESBIANS AND GAYS IN FAMILY THERAPY
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2000
This article uses a culturul literacy model to sensitize straight marital and family therapists (MFTs) to work with gays, lesbians, and their families. While most MFTs number gays and lesbians among their clients, differences in sexual orientation between therapist and clients are often insuficiently addressed, closing off therapeutic possibilities. Marital and family therapists are asked to systematically assess homophobic and heternsexist assumptions in both personal attitudes and professional theory and practice and to educate themselves about gay culture and family life. The role of disclosure, trust, and collaborative meaning making in creating a therapeutic relationship that is culturally sensitive, clinically effective, and ethically responsible is examined. When therapist and client differ in sexual orientation, there is an initial sense of "otherness" that must be bridged in building a therapeutic relationship. Each needs to become aware of the panoply of assumptions, inferences, and emotions that adhere to the image of the other, both as an actual individual and as a representative of another culture. Each must also assess how he or she is perceived by the other, differentiating how one sees oneself from how one is defined by the larger culture. The shared experience of the therapeutic encounter sensitively negotiated-the "intimate interaction" that Weingarten (1992, p. 45) defines as occurring "when people share meaning or co-create meaning"-bridges that otherness, creating connection without obliterating difference. This article will address how straight marital and family therapists (MFTs) can bridge differences in sexual orientation to work effectively with gay and lesbian families and couples. THE CULTURAL LITERACY MODEL To be effective in working with clients whose cultural background differs from one's own, it is widely accepted that a therapist needs to become culturally literate, developing familiarity with the client's heritage and milieu. This includes being aware of the "power differentials in society and the ways that they may affect the therapy process and the client's day to day life" (Greene, 1995, p. 155). This is no less true when these differences revolve around sexual orientation than when they concern race, ethnicity, or social class. Straight MFTs working with gays and lesbians must be willing to examine themselves, their own privilege as heterosexuals, and their attitudes, feelings, and beliefs about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. They also need to adopt a cross-cultural perspective in working therapeutically with those whose sexual orientation differs from their own. (The use of the terms gay and lesbian to discuss how culture is constructed along lines of sexual orientation is not meant to exclude bisexuals or transgender people; it is used only to avoid the unwieldy prose that would follow from the more inclusive list.
CLINICAL ISSUES IN WORKING WITH LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL CLIENTS
This article discusses some of the key clinical issues for therapists to consider when working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. After a discussion of the biases that can influence psychotherapy, guidelines are given for conducting LGB-affirmative therapy that avoids these biases. Issues that therapists need to be familiar with in working with LGB clients include LGB identity development; couple relationships and parenting; LGB individuals as members of families; the unique stressors faced by individuals who are underrepresented in the LGB research literature (e.g., older LGB individuals, ethnic minorities, religious LGB individuals, bisexual individuals); and legal and workplace issues. An examination of the published literature is offered with particular emphasis given to the available empirical research.
American Journal of Family Therapy, 2009
As professionals, therapists should be prepared to work with a diverse population. The purpose of this study was to explore predictors of American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Members’ comfort level in working with gay and lesbian individuals, couples, and families. Results indicated that therapists’ scores on the Support for Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Scale predicted their comfort level in working with gay and lesbian individuals, couples, and families. The challenge for training programs is to assist therapists-in-training and supervisors with self-exploration and to increase opportunities for interactions with gays and lesbians.