Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples

188 Pages·2004·2.148 MB·English

by  Jerry Bigner, Joseph L. Wetchler

Jerry J. Bigner, PhD
Joseph L. Wetchler, PhD
Editors
Relationship Therapy
with Same-Sex Couples
Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples has been
co-published simultaneously as Journal of Couple & Rela­
tionship Therapy, Volume 3, Numbers 2/3 2004.
Pre-publication
i 4 'VVTorking with same-sex cou-
REVIEWS,
” pies is a challenge for
COMMENTARIES,
even the most seasoned thera­
EVALUATIONS. .
pist. The authors of this book
should be applauded for taking
bold steps in addressing how ther­
apists can prepare themselves to
handle numerous important is­
sues facing the GLBT commu­
nity and themselves as therapists.
The book covers a broad spec­
trum of issues from numerous
vantage points (e.g., the thera­
pist, the heterosexual partner, the
supervisor). ”
Julianne M. Serovich, PhD
Professor of Marriage
and Family Therapy
Ohio State University
More pre-publication
REVIEWS, COMMENTARIES, EVALUATIONS .
“ A WINNER. Bigner and Wet- < i P OMPREHENSIVE___This
chler have brought togeth­ ' “'is a book I will return to
over and over again. The stories
er all of the most current infor­
and suggestions are PRACTICAL,
mation on the dynamics of same-
RICH, INSPIRING, AND REAL.
sex relationships in American so­
... In this EXCELLENT book, ac­
ciety. Nowhere in the literature is
cessible to a wide readership, re­
this addressed so comprehen­
lationship therapy with same-sex
sively. This is A MUST-READ for
couples comes of age. A variety
every couples counselor, every
of relationship contexts, theoret­
LGBT-QQI counselor, and every
ical frameworks, and clinical is­
counselor, period, for the insights sues are treated with depth and
and practical interventions that are sensitivity. First-person accounts
offered throughout this invalu­ and clinical examples provide
able book. The chapter authors scholarly insights and solutions
offer important and thought-pro­ for positive change.”
voking insights into rarely ex­
plored subjects such as bisexual Katherine A. Allen, PhD
Professor of Human Development
as well as transgender issues in
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
same-sex couple therapy. EACH
and State University
CHAPTER IS A GEM.”
Mark Pope, EdD
President
American Counseling Association
(2003-2004)
Associate Professor
Division of Counseling
and Family Therapy
University of Missouri-St. Louis
The Haworth Press, Inc.
Relationship Therapy
with Same-Sex Couples
RelationshipTherapywithSame-SexCoupleshasbeenco-published
simultaneously as Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, Vol-
ume 3, Numbers 2/3 2004.
TheJournal of Couple & Relationship Therapy Monographic “Separates”
(formerly theJournal of Couples Therapy series)*
Below is a list of “separates,” which in serials librarianship means a special issue simultaneously
published as a special journal issue or double-issueandas a “separate” hardbound monograph.
(This is a format which we also call a “DocuSerial.”)
“Separates” are published because specialized libraries or professionals may wish to purchase a specific
thematic issue by itself in a format which can be separately cataloged and shelved, as opposed to
purchasing the journal on an on-going basis. Faculty members may also more easily consider a “separate”
for classroom adoption.
“Separates” are carefully classified separately with the major book jobbers so that the journal tie-in can be
noted on new book order slips to avoid duplicate purchasing.
You may wish to visit Haworth’s website at . . .
http://www.HaworthPress.com
. . . to search our online catalog for complete tables of contents of these separates and related publications.
You may also call 1-800-HAWORTH (outside US/Canada: 607-722-5857), or Fax [phone]
(outside US/Canada: 607-771-0012), or e-mail at:
[email protected]
Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples,edited by Jerry J. Bigner, PhD, and Joseph L.
Wetchler, PhD (Vol. 3, No. 2/3, 2004).“A WINNER. Bigner and Wetchler have brought together
all of the most current information on the dynamics of same-sex relationships in American soci-
ety. Nowhere in the literature is this addressed so comprehensively. This is A MUST-READ for
every couples counselor, every LGBTQQI counselor, and every counselor, period, for the in-
sights and practical interventions that are offered throughout this invaluable book. The chapter
authors offer important and thought-provoking insights into rarely explored subjects such as bi-
sexual as well as transgender issues in same-sex couple therapy. EACH CHAPTER IS A GEM.”
(Mark Pope, EdD, President, American Counseling Association [2003-2004]; Associate Profes-
sor, Division of Counseling & Family Therapy, University of Missouri-St. Louis)
Clinical Issues with Interracial Couples: Theories and Research,edited by Volker Thomas, PhD,
Terri A. Karis, PhD, and Joseph L. Wetchler, PhD (Vol. 2, No. 2/3, 2003).“A USEFUL TEXT IN
FAMILY SYSTEMS AND THERAPY COURSES. . . . A very useful, and even necessary, text for
clinicians who do couples work and will increasingly be dealing with cross-cultural and interra-
cial couples.” (Maria P. P. Root, PhD, Psychologist, Seattle, Washington)
Couples, Intimacy Issues, and Addiction,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCD, CGP (Vol.
10, No. 3/4, 2001).*“A much needed and insightful book for those who already work with cou-
ples, and a marvelous addition to the library of any new therapist just venturing into the field of
couples therapy. This book opens windows to explore, with respect and understanding, the many
ways of partnering.” (Mary Ellen O’Hare-Lavin, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice;
Adjunct Faculty, Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, Illinois)
Couples and Body Therapy,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCD, CGP (Vol. 10, No. 2,
2001).* “A wonderful revisiting and blending of two significant fields. Once digested, one won-
ders how the therapist can focus on the couple without addressing the bodies they inhabit.”
(Cindy Ashkins, PhD, LCSW, LMT, Couples Psychotherapist and Licensed Bodyworker in Pri-
vate Practice, Metairie, North Carolina)
The Abuse of Men: Trauma Begets Trauma,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol.
10, No. 1, 2001).*“Addresses a topic that has beenneglected. . . . This book isuniquein
adopting a systematic perspective thatfocusesnot solely on themaleswho have beenabused
but also on their partners and family members. . . . Givesdetailedand specificdirectionsfor
intervening with couples who have experienced multiple traumas.” (Joseph A.Micucci, PhD,
Associate Professor of Psychology, Chestnut Hill College, Pennsylvania)
The Personhood of the Therapist,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 9, No. 3/4,
2000).*Throughsuggestions,techniques,examples,andcasestudies,thisbookwillhelpyou
develop a great sense of openness about yourself and your feelings, enabling you to offer clients
more effective services.
Couples Connecting: Prerequisites of Intimacy,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol.
9, No. 1/2, 2000).* “Brothers views marriage as an ideal context for the psychological and spiri-
tual evolution of human beings, and invites therapists to reflect on the role they can play in facili-
tating this. Readers are sure to recognize their clients among the examples given and to return to
their work with a renewed vision of the possibilities for growth and change.” (Eleanor D.
Macklin, PhD, Emeritus Professor and former Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy
program, Syracuse University, New York)
Couples Therapy in Managed Care: Facing the Crisis,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW,
BCSW (Vol. 8, No. 3/4, 1999).*Provides social workers, psychologists, and counselors with an
overview of the negative effects of the managed care industry on the quality of mental health
care. Within this book, you will discover the paradoxes that occur with the mixing of business
principles and service principles and find valuable suggestions on how you can creatively cope
within the managed care context. WithCouples Therapy in Managed Care, you will learn how
you can remain true to your own integrity and still get paid for your work and offer quality ser-
vices within the current context of managed care.
Couples and Pregnancy: Welcome, Unwelcome, and In-Between,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers,
MSW, BCSW (Vol. 8, No. 2, 1999).*Gain valuable insight into how pregnancy and birth havea
profoundpsychologicaleffectontheparents’relationship,especiallyontheirexperienceofin-
timacy.
Couples, Trauma, and Catastrophes,edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 7, No. 4,
1998).*Helps therapists and counselors working with couples facing major crises and trauma.
Couples: A Medley of Models, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW, BCD (Vol. 7, No. 2/3,
1998).* “A wonderful set of authors who illuminate different corners of relationships. This book
belongs on your shelf . . . but only after you’ve read it and loved it.” (Derek Paar, PhD, Associ-
ate Professor of Psychology, Springfield College, Massachusetts)
When One Partner Is Willing and the Other Is Not, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW
(Vol. 7, No. 1, 1997).*“An engaging variety of insightful perspectives on resistance in couples
therapy.” (Stan Taubman, DSW, Director of Managed Care, Alameda County Behavioral Health
Care Service, Berkeley, California; Author,Ending the Struggle Against Yourself)
Couples and the Tao of Congruence, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 6, No. 3/4,
1996).* “AlibraryofinformationlinkingVirginiaSatir’steachingandpracticeofcreative
improvementinhumanrelationsandtheTaoofCongruence....Astimulatingread.”(Josephine
A. Bates, DSW, BD, retired mental health researcher and family counselor, Lake Preston, South
Dakota)
Couples and Change, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 6, No. 1/2, 1996).*This
enlightening book presents readers with Satir’s observations–observations that show the differ-
ence between thinking with systems in mind and thinking linearly–of process, interrelatedness,
and attitudes.
Couples: Building Bridges, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 5, No. 4, 1996).*
“This work should be included in the library of anyone considering to be a therapist or who is
one or who is fascinated by the terminology and conceptualizations which the study of marriage
utilizes.” (Irv Loev, PhD, MSW-ACP, LPC, LMFT, private practitioner)
Couples and Countertransference, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 5, No. 3,
1995).* “I would recommend this book to beginning and advanced coupletherapistsas well as
to social workers and psychologists. . . . This book is a wealth of information.” (International
Transactional Analysis Association)
Power and Partnering, editedbyBarbaraJoBrothers,MSW,BCSW(Vol.5,No.1/2,1995).*
“Appeals to therapists and lay people who find themselves drawn to the works of Virginia Satir
andCarlJung.Includesstoriesandresearchdatasatisfyingthetastesofbothleft-and right-brained
readers.” (Virginia O. Felder, ThM, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, private practice,
Atlanta, Georgia)
Surpassing Threats and Rewards: Newer Plateaus for Couples and Coupling, edited by Barbara Jo
Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 4, No. 3/4, 1995).*Explores the dynamics of discord, rejection,
and blame in the coupling process and provides practical information to help readers understand
marital dissatisfaction and how this dissatisfaction manifests itself in relationships.
Attraction and Attachment: Understanding Styles of Relationships, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers,
MSW, BCSW (Vol. 4, No. 1/2, 1994).* “Ideas on working effectively with couples. . . . I strongly
recommend this book for those who want to have a better understanding of the complex dynamics
of couples and couples therapy.” (Gilbert J. Greene, PhD, ACSW, Associate Professor, College
of Social Work, The Ohio State University)
Peace, War, and Mental Health: Couples Therapists Look at the Dynamics, edited by Barbara Jo
Brothers,MSW,BCSW(Vol.3,No.4,1993).*Discoverhowissuesofworldwarandpeace
relate to the dynamics of couples therapy in this thought-provoking book.
Couples Therapy, Multiple Perspectives: In Search of Universal Threads, edited by Barbara Jo
Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 3, No. 2/3, 1993).* “A very sizeable team of couples therapists has
scoured the countryside in search of the most effective methods for helping couples improve their
relationships. . . . The bibliographies are a treasury of worthwhile references.” (John F.
Sullivan, EdS, Marriage and Family Counselor in Private Practice, Newburgh, New York)
Spirituality and Couples: Heart and Soul in the Therapy Process, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers,
MSW, BCSW (Vol. 3, No. 1, 1993).* “Provides an array of reflections particularly for thera-
pists beginning to address spirituality in the therapeutic process.” (Journal of Family Psycho-
therapy)
Equal Partnering: A Feminine Perspective, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 2,
No. 4, 1992).*Designed to help couples, married or not, understand how to achieve a balanced,
equal partnership.
Coupling...WhatMakesPermanence?editedbyBarbaraJoBrothers,MSW,BCSW(Vol.2,
No.3, 1991).* “Explores what it is that makes for a relationship in which each partner can grow
and develop while remaining attached to another.” (The British Journal of Psychiatry)
Virginia Satir: Foundational Ideas, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 2, No. 1/2,
1991).* “The most thorough conglomeration of her ideas available today. Done in the intimate,
yet clear fashion you would expect from Satir herself. . . . Well worth getting your hands damp to
pick up this unique collection.” (Journal of Family Psychotherapy)
Intimate Autonomy: Autonomous Intimacy, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 1,
No. 3/4, 1991).* “A fine collection of chapters on one of the most difficult of human tasks–getting
close enough to another to share the warmth and benefits of that closeness without losing what is
precious in our separations.” (Howard Halpern, PhD, Author,How to Break Your Addiction to
a Person)
Couples on Coupling, edited by Barbara Jo Brothers, MSW, BCSW (Vol. 1, No. 2, 1990).* “A vari-
ety of lenses through which to view relationships, each providing a different angle for seeing pat-
terns, strengths, and problems and for gaining insight into a given couple system.” (Suzanne
Imes, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Atlanta, Georgia; Adjunct Assistant Profes-
sor of Psychology, Georgia State University)
Relationship Therapy
with Same-Sex Couples
Jerry J. Bigner , PhD
Joseph L. Wetchler, PhD
Editors
RelationshipTherapywithSame-SexCoupleshasbeenco-publishedsi-
multaneouslyasJournalofCouple&RelationshipTherapy,Volume3,
Numbers2/32004.
RelationshipTherapywithSame-SexCoupleshasbeenco-published
simultaneously as Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy™,
Volume 3, Numbers 2/3 2004.
First published 2004 by The Haworth Press
Published 2013 by Routledge
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Cover design by Jennifer M. Gaska
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Relationship therapy with same-sex couples/ [edited by] Jerry J. Bigner, Joseph L. Wetchler.
p. cm.
Published also as v. 3, no. 2/3, 2004, of the Journal of couple & relationship therapy.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1.Gaycouples–Psychology.2.Counseling.I.Bigner,JerryJ.II.Wetchler,JosephL.III.Jour-
nal of couple & relationship therapy.
HQ76.34.R45 2004
306.84’8–dc22
2004017774
ISBN 13: 978-0-789-02554-8 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-789-02555-5 (pbk)
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magazines and journals; designed to meet the diverse
information needs of corporations; EBSCO Publishing
<http://www.epnet.com/corporate/bsourcecorp.asp> . . . . . . . . . .2002
(cid:127) CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature),
in print, EBSCO, and SilverPlatter, Data-Star, and PaperChase
<http://www.cinahl.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001
(cid:127) Contemporary Women’s Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001
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(cid:127) e-psyche, LLC <http://www.e-psyche.net>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001
(cid:127) Family & Society Studies Worldwide <http://www.nisc.com>. . . . . .2001
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(cid:127) Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001
(cid:127) FINDEX <http://www.publist.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001
(cid:127) Gay & Lesbian Abstracts <http://www.nisc.com> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2002
(cid:127) IBZ International Bibliography of Periodical Literature
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(cid:127) Index to Periodical Articles Related to Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2002
(cid:127) Internationale Bibliographie der geistes- und
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(continued)