Gay-affirmative Therapy and Emerging Integrative Solutions.

Abstract

A dichotomy exists in the literature in relation to treating ego-dissonant gay clients who struggle to reconcile their same-sex attraction with opposing values and beliefs .Historically, the treatment of choice was conversion therapy,which aimed to treat the "condition" (homosexuality) by changing an individual's homosexual orientation to heterosexual. In recent years, as public opinion has shifted towards increased tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality, gay-affirmative therapy has gained popularity and advanced as the modality most likely to benefit the majority of ego-dissonant gay clients. However, each position has tended to offer a limited, exclusionary choice to either reject or accept one's sexual orientation. This dichotomised approach may not serve all clients who seek help in dealing with conflicts regarding sexual orientation. This two-part article begins with a review of gay-affirmative therapy: its history, the developing relationship between the mental health profession and homosexuality, and key concepts of practice from different theoretical perspectives. Secondly, emerging integrative solutions, including a sexual identity management model, are examined and a Kleinian perspective is offered as a way of working with individuals who are unable to accept, change, or integrate competing aspects of their identity. This study recognises that each approach caters, to some degree, to the unique needs of different individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)