As if life isn't stressful enough, gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals must contend with the hate-filled rhetoric of
those who would condemn them for who they are. It's easy to understand why so many people in the LGBTQI community struggle
with issues of chemical dependency, self-worth, and what it means to be in a committed relationship.
Gay couples have many of the same issues that heterosexual couples have, but unfortunately, there are also some major
differences in same-sex relationships that can put additional stressors on these relationships.
Couples therapy should be treated no different than marital therapy, aside from the obvious legal and social issues.
Any bias a therapist has will be very difficult to hide when dealing with relationship issues with a gay or lesbian
client. Their relationships should be treated with the same legitimacy as any committed relationship, and the therapist
should be aware that like any sexual relationship, their may be intimacy concerns, fidelity issues, children, parents,
and other issues that may be a part of treatment.
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Carroll, N., Linde, R., Mayer, K., Lara, A. M., & Bradford, J. (1999). Developing a lesbian health research program: Fenway Community Health Center’s
experience and evolution. Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, 3(4), 145-152.
Descamps, M., Rothblum, E., Bradford, J., & Ryan, C. C. (2000). Mental health impact of child sexual abuse, rape, intimate partner violence
and hate crimes in the National Lesbian Health Care Survey. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11(1), 27-55.
Evans, N. J., & D'Augelli, A. R. (1995). Lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people in college. In R. C. Savin-Williams & K. M. Cohen (Eds.),
The lives of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (pp. 201-226). New York: Harcourt Brace.
Hershberger, S. L., & D'Augelli, A. R. (1995). The impact of victimization on the mental health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.
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Quam, J. K. (2001). Building a virtual community for older lesbians. Outword, 7(4), 3-7.
Ryan, C. C., Bradford, J., Honnold, J. A. (1999). Social workers‘ and counselors’ understanding of lesbians’ needs. The Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 9(4), 1-26.
Swann, S. K., & Anastas, J. W. (2003). Dimensions of lesbian identity during adolescence and young adulthood. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 15(1/2), 109-125.
