Author(s): Joe Kort

Non Fiction

A therapist who treats LGBTQ clients needs to be more than just "gay friendly." Clinical experience, scientific research, and cultural understanding are advancing rapidly, and the task of being "LGBTQ informed" is ever-changing in today's world. This book covers topics such as how to avoid making the common mistake of believing that "a couple is a couple," thus treating LGBT couples the same as their heterosexual counterparts; how to treat clients struggling in "mixed" orientation marriages and relationships (straight and LGBTQ spouses in the same couple); and how to work with all clients who have non-heteronormative sexual behaviors and practices. Perhaps most importantly, the book discusses covert cultural sexual abuse (the trauma suffered from having to suppress one's own sexual and gender identity) as well as the difficult process of coming out to family and friends. A therapist's job is to help clients find their identities through their own lens and not anyone else's-especially the therapist's. The gay affirmative principles put forward in this book will help you build a stronger relationship with your LGBTQ clients and become the go-to therapist in your area. This book offers up-to-date information adapted from Gay Affirmative Therapy for the Straight Clinician for clinicians treating LGBTQ clients. Book jacket.

April 2018