ABSTRACT

This comprehensive second edition inspires therapists to utilize clinical work to pragmatically address intersectional oppressions, lessen the burden of minority stress, and implement effective LGBTQ affirmative therapy.

A unique and important contribution to LGBTQ literature, this handbook includes both new and updated chapters reflecting cutting-edge intersectional themes like race, ethnicity, polyamory, and monosexual normativity. A host of expert contributors outline the best practices in affirmative therapy, inspiring therapists to guide LGBTQ clients into deconstructing the heteronormative power imbalances that undermine LGBTQ relationships and families. There is also an increased focus on clinical application, with fresh vignettes included throughout to highlight effective treatment strategies.

Couple and family therapists and clinicians working with LGBTQ clients, and those interested in implementing affirmative therapy in their practice, will find this updated handbook essential. 

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part Section I|51 pages

Foundations of LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy

part Section II|134 pages

Working with Couples

chapter 4|14 pages

We Cannot Change What We Cannot Name for Ourselves

Integrating Attachment Theory into Couple Therapy with Gay Men

chapter 5|14 pages

Illuminating Strengths

Multiracial Feminist Couple Therapy with Queer Women

chapter 6|16 pages

“There's a Lot We Don't Understand About Each Other”

Centering Bisexual Partners in Couple Therapy

chapter 8|14 pages

Affirming Diversity and Targeting Pleasure

Sex Therapy for Gay Male Couples

chapter 9|14 pages

“I Could Never See You and Now I Dare Not Touch You”

Sex Therapy with Lesbian Couples

part Section III|131 pages

Family and Identity Considerations

chapter 12|30 pages

Invisible Humans

Identity Development and Visibility Management in Gender, Sexual, Erotic, and Relational Diversity

chapter 13|13 pages

I Have Too Many Mothers

Queer Families Raising Children

chapter 14|19 pages

Affirming Queerness

Raising Happy, Healthy Children

chapter 15|17 pages

Gender Affirmative Therapy with Trans and Gender Expansive (TGE) Youth and Families

Listening to Youth and Thoughtfully Following Their Lead

chapter 17|27 pages

“I Will Always Come Home to You”

Affirmative Therapy with Clients Practicing Consensual Non-Monogamy

part Section IV|89 pages

Special Issues

chapter 18|19 pages

“I Didn't Know I Had a Right to Exist”

Queer Elders and Family Therapy

chapter 19|16 pages

Where Should We Go to Church? Or Should We Even Bother

Spirituality and Religion in LGB Couples' Therapy

chapter 21|20 pages

Treating LGBT Couples Experiencing Substance Use Disorders

Trauma-Informed and Affirmative Therapy Approaches

chapter 22|13 pages

Rewrite the Script

A Call for More Queer and Inclusive Couple Enrichment Programs

part Section V|64 pages

Training Issues

chapter 23|16 pages

“Why Can't We Just Learn about Normal Couples?”

LGBQ Affirmative Training Strategies for CFT Faculty and Programs

chapter 24|15 pages

Self-Disclosure

Considerations for Therapy and Supervision

chapter 25|15 pages

Recovery from Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

Affirming the Intersections of Marginalized Identities among Survivors