Summary
A comprehensive British volume on lesbian and gay affirmative psychotherapy has been a while coming. Pink Therapy, however, has arrived, amply fills this gap, and is well worth the wait. The literature reviews are masterful for scholars, and the book offers a comprehensive, thoughtful approach for clinicians. A deft editorial hand is evident in the unusual consistency across chapters, the uniformly crisp, helpful chapter summaries, and the practical appendices, generous resources lists and well organized bibliographies.I particularly like the contributors subtle appreciation of theoretical nuance, genuine open-mindedness to diversity of ideas, and willingness to synthesize in a pragmatic and client-oriented manner.John C. Gonsiorek, PhD., Minneapolis, MN USA; Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology; Past President, Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues (Division 44 of the American Psychological Association). Pink Therapy is the first British guide for counsellors and therapists working with people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. It provides a much needed overview of lesbian, gay and bisexual psychology, and examines some of the differences between lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and heterosexuals. Pink Therapy proposes a model of gay affirmative therapy, which challenges the prevailing pathologizing models. It will help to provide answers to pressing questions such as:*what is different about lesbian, gay and bisexual psychologies?*how can I improve my work with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients?*what are the key clinical issues that this work raises?The contributors draw on their wide range of practical experience to provide - in an accessible style - information about the contemporary experience of living as a lesbian, gay or bisexual person, and to explore some of the common difficulties.Pink Therapy will be important reading for students and practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy, and will also be of value to anyone involved in helping people with a lesbian, gay or bisexual orientation.
Author Biography
The Editor
Dominic Davies has a wide experience of 'people work' in the statutory and voluntary sectors. He has worked in Residential Social Work; University Counselling; and HIV/AIDS and Sexuality Training. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Counselling at Nottingham Trent University. He holds a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, is a BAC Accredited Counsellor and a member of the Steering Group for the Association for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Psychologies.
Charles Neal is a therapist, trainer, educator and gay father with 25 years' experience working towards empowerment with people of all ages at points of change. He specialises in gay affirmative therapy and working with artists and performers and is founding chair of the Association for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Psychologies in the UK. A graduate of Spectrum's humanistic training, he has a lifelong involvement in analytic, integrative and humanistic therapies.
Table of Contents
| Dedication |
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iii | |
| Notes on contributors |
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vii | |
| Acknowledgements |
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ix | |
| Introduction |
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1 | (10) |
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| PART I: Fundamental issues |
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An historical overview of homosexuality and therapy |
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11 | (13) |
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Towards a model of gay affirmative therapy |
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24 | (17) |
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Homophobia and heterosexism |
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41 | (25) |
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Working with people coming out |
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66 | (23) |
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| PART II: Working with particular issues |
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Working with single people |
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89 | (12) |
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Working with people in relationships |
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101 | (15) |
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Lesbian and gay parenting issues |
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116 | (15) |
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Working with young people |
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131 | (18) |
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Working with older lesbians |
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149 | (10) |
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Working with older gay men |
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159 | (11) |
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Alcohol and substance misuse |
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170 | (18) |
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188 | (11) |
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Religious and spirituality conflicts |
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199 | (10) |
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| Appendix 1 Resources |
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209 | (4) |
| Appendix 2 Community resources |
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213 | (4) |
| Appendix 3 Books for clients and counsellors |
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217 | (5) |
| References |
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222 | (13) |
| Index |
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235 | |