by Douglas C. Haldeman
page xvii-xxii
by Christopher J. Alexander
page 1-3
by Joel C. Frost
page 5-27
The field of gay and lesbian psychotherapy has grown dramatically over the last two decades. Indeed, there is an increasing number of professional journals and books, which makes staying current in any area of mental health a full-time job. Many clinicians can feel daunted by having to remain up-to-date in their subspecialty, as well as in the mental health field in general. In addition, there are many allied fields of medicine, sociology, biology, and gerontology which contribute to the richness and complexity. We are a heterogeneous community, mixed by gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, and other demographics, each of which has special characteristics for us to know and understand. Being current and remaining current are two distinct and formidable tasks. This paper will focus upon how clinicians in private practice stay current in the field of research and practice knowledge while working in the gay and lesbian community. While hoping to provide some sources of information, this paper only begins to address some of the areas of research which affect our communities.
by Christopher J. Alexander
page 29-42
To have a successful private practice, clinicians must see themselves as both helpers and entrepreneurs. Yet, many clinicians are reluctant to view their practices as businesses that need to be marketed to consumers of mental health services. Without effective marketing and business planning, private practitioners face difficulty in establishing and maintaining a viable practice. This chapter covers basic strategies gay and lesbian therapists can utilize to effectively market and promote their services to the community.
by Pamm Hanson and Pamela Weeks
page 43-57
The authors, on the basis of their own experience, explore issues specific to therapists working openly as lesbians with lesbian clients. Their discussion covers the structure of a private practice, the therapeutic relationship between lesbian therapist and lesbian client, and personal challenges for the lesbian therapist. Questions are raised and direction given with the aim of facilitating congruence among the therapist's personal capacities, the therapeutic setting, and the psychological intention of the therapeutic work. The authors note the therapist's need to tolerate the exposure of her personal life and the pressure toward fusion that are both entailed in work with lesbian clients, and they suggest that these special challenges, when the lesbian therapist's engagement with them is conscious, offer rich material that can deepen the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic work.
by Richard A. Rodriguez
page 59-75
The clinical and practical needs of people of color who come to private practitioners are diverse. Issues of coming out, spirituality, multiple identity, and gender role take on unique characteristics with persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. This chapter covers practical considerations clinicians are encouraged to stay mindful of when working with clients of different racial and cultural backgrounds, including social class, race, and boundary issues.
by Jim Fickey and Gary Grimm
page 77-93
Gay and lesbian psychotherapists face unique challenges when working with clients who also identify as gay or lesbian. Of particular importance are the roles professional boundaries play in working with sexual minorities. For example, clinicians must decide whether it is in the client's best interests to know the therapist is gay. Issues of contact outside of the therapy hour also become important, particularly when the therapist lives in a small community, or otherwise risks the possibility of seeing the client in the community. This chapter addresses some of these issues, and poses options for therapists on how to minimize professional boundary or ethical violations.
by Christopher J. Alexander
page 95-106
Oftentimes gays and lesbians enter psychotherapy unclear about the eventual goals they want to attain. Without a clear understanding of what gays and lesbians want out of therapy, both therapist and client can feel at times that the treatment is unfocused and haphazard. The development of realistic treatment plans by private practitioners is also taking on more importance in this era of managed care. When therapists take the time to help clients define the goals they want to achieve by coming to therapy, the treatment feels more focused and effective to all parties. Guidelines for developing treatment plans for gay and lesbian clients are offered.
Transcribed by Emma McCulloch
15 January 1999