Handbook of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Counseling and Psychotherapy


Book Description

Scholarship on sexual minority (SM) and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) psychology has exploded in recent years, with unprecedented impact on practitioners and researchers, as well as the social and political compass of the nation. At the same time, best practices for mental health professionals who work with SM and TGNC clients continue to evolve rapidly.This volume builds on the editors' 2007 Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients to explore the challenges faced by SM and TGNC clients today. Experts in the field examine how the concepts of gender and sexual orientation are both socioculturally-constructed and can be informed by biologically-focused research, thus setting the stage for flexible, affirmative mental health services. Chapters cover a range of practice-focused, theoretical, and empirically-based contemporary perspectives, while highlighting themes that include an appreciation for complexity in identity, minority stress, and stigma management. With concise summaries of research findings and detailed case studies, contributors provide an intersectional understanding of how practitioners can work within rapidly-changing political and legal contexts to uncover and affirm clients' multiple social identities, and build resilience.




Gender in the Therapy Hour


Book Description

There is no shortage of literature about working with men in counseling and psychotherapy, but almost none of it addresses the unique issues that a female clinician can face with a male client. These women do not have a basis for a complete understanding of the impact our society’s ideas about gender can have on a man, his masculinity, and his feelings toward talk therapy, in part because they are not men themselves. The contributors to this book, all female clinicians who have worked extensively with men, have set out to provide their female peers with a guide for therapeutically engaging and helping men. Chapters explore how each author became involved in men’s issues, case studies and examples from her own practice that illustrate her approach, and her own assessment of what works best with male clients. Topics considered include core treatment issues, such as transference and counter-transference, beginning and ending therapy with men, and ethical dilemmas; working in different therapy modalities; and doing therapy with diverse populations of men. The book concludes with an edited transcript of a discussion amongst the authors about their personal experiences working with male clients. This will be an important book for all female therapists who work with male clients and are looking for ways to better understand and tailor their approaches to meet the needs of men in therapy.




Gender and Sex in Counseling and Psychotherapy


Book Description

Gender is still largely ignored as an "active" variable in counseling and is typically viewed as pertaining to women's issues or problems. The field has leap-frogged over gender, perhaps because it is too complex, perhaps because we resist change, or perhaps because our gender socialization is sufficiently effective as is. This book makes clear as to why gender must be considered in understanding the client's concerns, the process of therapy, and the counselor's role in the therapeutic interaction. Effective therapy requires an understanding of gender theory and gender processes. The approach taken in this book explains complex concepts in understandable terms, provides summaries of pertinent research findings, and applies theory and research about gender to client case examples.




Sexuality and Gender for Mental Health Professionals


Book Description

Questions of sexuality and gender affect everyone and therefore have an inevitable relevance in the consulting room. Yet with interpretations and manifestations of both varying greatly from person to person, understanding the inherent complexities of sexuality and gender can be a daunting task for the health professional. Breaking down these complexities this practical guide familiarises the reader with all of the common and many of the less common sexualities, genders and relationship forms, and explains experiences and issues relating to each. The book contains: -Explanations of various forms of sexuality, gender and relationship structures -Common concerns relating to specific groups -Key practises relating to specific groups -The treatment of specific groups in contemporary Western society -Details of some rules and ideals that are commonly found within specific groups -Suggestions for professional practice with these groups Ideal for all members of the multidisciplinary team, this accessible book is relevant to practitioners across theoretical backgrounds. Whether you are a trainee or qualified psychotherapist, counsellor, nurse, medic, psychiatrist, social worker or applied psychologist, this is a vital text for your professional practice. CHRISTINA RICHARDS is Senior Specialist Psychology Associate at the West London Mental Health NHS Trust (Charing Cross) Gender Identity Clinic. MEG BARKER is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University and a sex and relationship therapist.




Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts


Book Description

This book is the first exhaustive examination of empirical psychological data pertinent to both sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and gender identity change efforts (GICE). It offers contemporary, empirically based guidance for practitioners and educators in all major mental health and counseling professions. "Conversion therapy" and "reparative therapy" were the previous terms used to describe efforts to reshape an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The use of the term therapy tacitly and falsely implied that such efforts were based on empirically validated mental health practice. An introduction by the editor, Douglas C. Haldeman, provides the book's rationale and a summary of the major issues addressed. Ten chapters divided into four sections examine pertinent aspects of SOCE/GICE. This book can be used in courses relating to LGBTQ-affirmative therapy/counseling and mental health courses focusing on diversity, inclusivity, and equity.




Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy


Book Description

This widely used clinical reference and text--now significantly updated with 75% new material reflecting therapeutic advances, diagnostic changes, and increased coverage of sexual minority groups--comprehensively addresses sexual problems and their treatment. Prominent contributors interweave theory, research, and clinical considerations. Detailed case examples illustrate the process of assessment and intervention with individuals and couples across the lifespan, with attention to gender-related, cultural, and health concerns. The volume features an integrative introduction and conclusion, plus an instructive editorial commentary at the beginning of each chapter. New to This Edition *Many new authors and extensively revised chapters. *Coverage of advances in sexual medicine, ICD-11 diagnostic changes, and other timely topics. *Chapters on sexual aversion, female sexual arousal disorder, and out-of-control sexual behavior. *Chapters on the transition to parenthood and the treatment of sexual concerns in the BDSM community and adult transgender clients. *Chapters on additional medical issues: cancer and spinal cord injury.




Contextual Behavior Therapy for Sexual and Gender Minority Clients


Book Description

Combining theory, research, and case studies, this book shows clinicians how to apply transdiagnostic contextual behavioral approaches when working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) clients. The text first examines minority stress theory through the lens of contextual behavior analysis. Subsequent chapters illustrate the application of therapeutic techniques drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy, functional analytic psychotherapy, and compassion-focused therapy. The book concludes with a close look at special areas of consideration, including pre-surgical evaluation, the impact of HIV on SGM communities, ethical considerations, and future directions in therapy with SGM clients. Every chapter provides a series of diverse vignettes that illustrate how each aspect of treatment might build upon the last along with a list of recommended books for further exploration of that topic. This book offers a unique, integrated approach that can be used for case conceptualization and followed as a treatment manual for professionals or graduate students with a foundation in SGM psychology.




Sexuality and Sex Therapy


Book Description

The field of human sexuality is one of ever-increasing complexity, particularly for Christian therapists and psychologists seeking to be faithful to Scripture, informed by science and sensitive to culture. Mark Yarhouse and Erica Tan offer a survey and appraisal of this field from a Christian perspective, which grounds sex therapy in the biblical affirmation of physicality and the redemptive purposes of human life.




Sex Therapy with Erotically Marginalized Clients


Book Description

Sex Therapy with Erotically Marginalized Clients: Nine Principles of Clinical Support provides a clinical guide to relational sex therapy with individuals, partnerships, polyships, and alternative family structures where one or more of the clients are erotically marginalized. This term refers to people who are at risk of being pathologized and oppressed both outside and inside the clinical setting due to their gender identities, sexual orientations, or sexual practices. The book outlines nine principles for therapeutic practice which meet the needs of erotically marginalized clients, whose forms of sexuality and desire are rarely spoken about and for whom there is a dearth of language in therapeutic contexts. Each principle concludes with a series of ‘key points’ and then followed by illustrative clinical case studies, contributed by sex therapists and clinicians who self-identify as erotically marginalized and who also work with erotically marginalized clients. The book also provides a full glossary, ‘Defining Erotically Marginalized Identities’. The authors and case contributors use a radical and affirming lens to examine erotically marginalized identities that are often neglected. The book bridges gaps between the past, present, and future in the field of sex therapy and greatly expands the diversity of experiences and identities within the field, particularly the experience of multiple oppressions. The book marks a valuable contribution not only to sex therapists but to the wider clinical and therapeutic community.




Contemporary Sex Therapy


Book Description

Contemporary Sex Therapy explores modern sexuality, its expression and problems, and some of the uniquely twenty-first century issues facing sex therapists and society as a whole. Seeking solutions to these and other common sexual and relationship problems, the book provides a practical, sensitive and modern approach, which tackles the complexities of contemporary relationships, identity, love and sex. A comprehensive, stepped approach to psychosexual therapy is offered, demonstrating how to tackle blocks to sex and intimacy as well as providing an understanding of how and why they develop. Loss of desire, sexual pain and erectile and orgasm difficulties are seen within the context of modern life and relationship dynamics, so that comprehensive and realistic solutions are more readily enabled. The book looks at significant issues such as sexual consent, sexual and gender identity, sexual trauma and culture, as well as the more recent challenges of porn-related sexual dependency, chemsex, female genital cutting and technology. Throughout, the emphasis is on recognising and meeting the specific obstacles and needs of a wide diversity of relationships and experiences, providing a vast toolbox to appropriately address contemporary sexual issues. Established sex therapists, as well as students, will benefit from the book’s modern approach which focuses on each partner’s experience, avoiding outcome and response anxiety entirely and appreciating the range of pressures experienced by modern couples. Relationship therapists and couples themselves will also be motivated by new ideas and explanations, which often challenge existing intuitive understanding to produce nuanced and effective solutions to improve sex and intimacy.