Presentation 8/30/11: Working with LGBTQ Couples and Families
Working with LGBTQ Couples and Families
Presented by Damon M. Constantinides, Ph.D., LSW
Web Conference Description
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) families have many similarities to any other kind of family, but they also have some unique differences that require additional knowledge for couple and family therapists. In educational settings these differences are sometimes either ignored completely or emphasized out of proportion leaving clinicians unprepared to meet the needs of these clients. This presentation, based on both available literature and on clinical experiences, will focus on some of the concrete differences that LGBTQ couples and families experience and some of the ways you as a clinician can increase your effectiveness with this population. Case studies, application of specific approaches and interventions, and an opportunity to ask questions will be included in this ninety minute presentation.
This Web Conference is designed to help clinicians:
1) Define the terms sexual orientation, gender identity, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer;
2) Name three characteristics that could make working with a LGBT couple or family different than working with a heterosexual couple or family;
3) Increase understanding of how gender roles and scripts impact LGBT relationships;
4) Learn at least one specific technique that is effective when working with LGBT couples and families.
Date & Time of Presentation
This 90-Minutes presentation will begin at 9:00 AM PACIFIC on 08-30-2011
Continuing Education (CE) Information
1.5 CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this Web Conference in its entirety. GoodTherapy.org is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
How the Web Conference Works
In short, participants will be able to listen to the event by calling in to our teleconference center. Prior to the event, all participants will be sent an email with instructions on how to login to the teleconference and video conference center. This event will include lecture, interaction, and question and answer periods.
Registration Information
This Web Conference is available for free to GoodTherapy.org Members.
Book Review: Resurrecting Sex
Schnarch, David, Resurrecting sex: Resolving sexual problems and rejuvenating your relationship. Harper Collins, New York, 2002.
I picked up David Schnarch’s book Resurrecting Sex: Resolving Sexual Problems and Rejuvenating Your Relationship to check out if it would be useful for clients who were struggling with their sex lives. What I found was an amazing resource that reframes sex and relationships and would be useful to use with any couple, even if they don’t have sexual problems or “need rejuvenating.”
The first half of the book is called “A Crash Course in Sex” and that is exactly what it is. It is this first half that I believe makes this book so valuable for any person regardless of relationship status. One of Schnarch’s concepts that I found refreshing and exciting was his approach to encouraging couples to think of themselves as a team. This mentality moves away from blaming and towards finding creative solutions. The crash course in sex also does a great job reviewing sex, desire, arousal, and orgasm from both a physical and emotional perspective.
Although Schnarch’s language is often inclusive in his use of “partner” versus “spouse”, all of his case examples are heterosexual couples. Same-gender couples or sexual minority people interested in learning more about sex and their relationship will get some great information and ideas from this book, but they will also have to translate the case examples to fit their own experiences. This becomes a barrier for sexual minority readers because sometimes, especially when you might be feeling vulnerable, adding a layer of invisibility can be frustrating. So before recommending this book to a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer client or friend make sure to add the caveat that getting to the good stuff sadly requires navigating some heterosexism.
That said, this book is an excellent resource for educators, therapists and clients. Schnarch’s tone throughout the book is both frank and kind. He utilizes a casual style while still including concrete information based on research. This is the kind of book that you can pick up, thumb through, and just read the part that sticks out to you as interesting, or you can read it cover to cover. It provides clear and concise background information about sexuality that increases the usefulness of Schnarch’s more specific suggestions for maintaining an active sex life.
New York Times: The Therapist Will See you Now, Via the Web
Using the internet to provide effective psychotherapy is an ongoing conversation among practitioners. This New York Times article looks at some of the issues and some of the companies and practitioners who are using this modality.
One piece not mentioned in this article is licensing and the stance on online therapy by national licensing boards. As a social worker who provides counseling to populations who often struggle to find therapists who are competent and knowledgeable regarding their identity, I’ve considered using the internet to make my services more accessible. However, as a Licensed Social Work in Pennsylvania I can’t practice “out of state” and the licensing board has no official statement regarding internet services.
I anticipate that this modality will continue to grow and that the field of psychotherapy will relunctantly grow with it. After all, as noted in the article, it was 40 years ago when this concept first became a reality!
Click here for the full New York Times article: The Therapist Will See You Now, Via the Web
