Same-Sex Couples and Other Identities: Psychoanalytic Perspectives

Description

This book provides a contemporary exploration of psychoanalytic theory and its application to therapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer relationships, challenging heteronormative practice and introducing new perspectives on working with gender and sexual diversity. In this wide-ranging collection, international contributors draw on key aspects of couple psychoanalytic theory and practice, whilst also expanding hetero and mono-normative frames of reference to explore the nature of relating in open, closed and poly relationships. Developments in regard to gender and sexuality within the contexts of family and culture and an examination of same sex parenting are also included, as are psychosexual considerations and the process of aging. A major focus of the book is the importance of the therapist’s own gender and sexuality in the clinical encounter and how to manage adjustments in approach to counter the dominance of heteronormative thinking in practice. The first book of its kind to incorporate an in-depth examination of same sex, queer, bi-sex, trans and queer relationships in regard to psychoanalytic thinking and practice, Same-Sex Couples and Other Identities is a vital resource for psychoanalytically informed psychotherapists, counsellors and practitioners working with a diverse range of clients. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements List of contributors Series editor introduction Introduction 1. Sexuality and gender in development: Facets of bedrock and beyond 2. Revitalizing the Oedipal model for LGBTQ couples and families 3. Family matters: The impact of family and sociocultural context on LGBTQ identities and psychodynamics 4. Cultural and intercultural considerations in working with same-sex couples 5. Exploring unconscious anxieties for couple psychoanalytic psychotherapists working with same-sex couples: The same or different? 6. Bisexual people and their partners in relational psychoanalytic couple therapy: Aesthetic conflict, multiple selves and the uncontainable 7. Queer relationships: unmapped intimacies 8. The fear of difference and desire to differentiate: Working with two transitioning couples 9. They ‘went in two by two’: The challenge for couple psychotherapists of working with those in open and polyamorous relationships 10. Psychosexual considerations in working LGBTQ+ couples and individuals 11. The process of ageing for same-sex couples 12. Responding to the challenge that same-sex parents pose for psychoanalytic couple and family psychotherapists: Confronting implicit bias! 13. The LGBTQ couple choice of therapist he/she/they, straight or gay: Creativity vs defense 14. Understanding and responding to intimate partner violence and abuse in same-sex couple relationships Index