Queering Psychotherapy

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Goodrich, K. M., Harper, A. J., Luke, M., & Singh, A. A. (2013). Best practices for professional school counselors working with LGBTQ youth. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 7(4), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2013.839331. While some practitioners were unsettled by what they see as the rapid changes around gender identity, a majority of therapists conveyed curiosity in their responses and were reflexive about internal conflict and honest about their earnest struggle. As this respondent commented when asked about how they felt about the use of the term ‘cisgender’: ‘Interesting internal response to this – “I am being rebranded”. But actually, in terms of equality and celebrating diversity, I have no problem with identifying as cisgender.’ The contributors to Queering Psychotherapy present key insights and practical advice in a dynamic conversational format, providing intimate access to therapists’ personal and professional knowledge and reflections. This book is an invaluable training in itself.

Chandler, D., & Munday, R. (2011). A dictionary of media and communication (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199568758.001.0001.

Another queering practice of this book is that there isn’t the usual control of the editor’s agenda other than reflecting on non-normative thinking and practice in a variety of therapeutic situations and considerations. So, in some cases I suggested topics participants may want to talk about, while others brought their own preferred talking points. Queering Gestalt Therapy is the book missing from the Gestalt reading list. It manages to unfold a new perspective on the subject matter using Gestalt theory, whereas it invites the reader to take a closer look in each author’s personal world that contains the meticulous experience on working with gender radical clients. It is a highly recommended book for all mental health practitioners, regardless their school of thought, as it will embellish their professional practice.'

We’ve planned our return to face-to-face events after a two-year absence, and there’s been a recognition of some positives of virtual events. Some of these aspects have been incorporated into how we plan and deliver conferences and workshops from now on. LGBTIQ+ people are more likely than cisgender and heterosexual individuals to suffer with mental health issues, yet often have poorer therapeutic outcomes. Mainstream Eurocentric psychotherapeutic theories, developed largely by heterosexual, cisgender and white theorists, tend to see LGBTIQ+ as a singular group through this “othered” lens. Despite the undeniable value offered by many of these theories, they and those who use them – queer therapists included – can often pathologize, marginalize, misunderstand and diminish the flourishing and diversity of queer experience. As a gay man growing up in Yorkshire in the 1980s and 1990s, I understand what it is like to feel ‘less than’, an outsider within a heteronormative culture. Name-calling, bullying and the threat of physical violence, fear of (and actual) disownment and being seen as perverted or pathological were the norm. Previous generations suffered even more, but thankfully gay people have increasingly enjoyed more acceptance. Trans people – and particularly trans people of colour – are one of the most marginalised groups of today, thrust into the spotlight of debate by those unsure how to feel about this increasingly visible group that threatens their notions of binary and constant genders and comfortable norms. Ratts, M. J. (2009). Social justice counseling: Toward the development of a fifth force among counseling paradigms. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 48(2), 160–172. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1939.2009.tb00076.x. McGeorge, C., & Carlson, T. S. (2011). Deconstructing heterosexism: Becoming an LGB affirmative heterosexual couple and family therapist. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00149.x.

A gay son and his dying straight dad: An account of ambiguous loss and the embodiment of homophobia Cass, V. C. (1979). Homosexual identity formation: A theoretical model. Journal of Homosexuality, 4(3), 219–235. https://doi.org/10.1300/J082v04n03_01. O’Donnell, M., & Taylor, B. (2014). Working therapeutically with LGBTI clients: A practice wisdom resource. National LGBTI Health Alliance. https://lgbtihealth.org.au/resources/working-therapeutically-with-lgbti-clients/ Some of the psychoanalytic community expressed confidence in working from an affirmative and exploratory stance, with the data suggesting that those who are anti trans and at risk of enacting conversion therapy are outliers. But many were simply confused – frightened, even – about how they can work with this population safely and effectively within their modality. My guess is a number will simply avoid working with trans people. American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for psychological practice withtransgender and gender nonconforming people. American Psychologist, 70(9), 832–864. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039906

In this volume, editor and psychotherapist Jane C. Czyzselska speaks with practitioners and clients from diverse modalities and lived experiences, exploring and rethinking some of the unique challenges encountered in a world that continues to marginalise queer lives. As a profession, we can’t ignore our knowledge gap on trans identities. It is clear that current trainings are inadequate in preparing therapists to work with gender diversity and that many therapists feel ill-equipped to do so. Training courses need to move beyond outdated difference and diversity modules towards an emphasis on intersectionality. It’s also important that trans people are visible in our profession, particularly on therapy trainings.Holding Uncertainty so that it can be Thought About: Relational Gestalt Therapy with Gender Creative Children Much of this work was carried out amid the challenges of COVID-19, remote working and what felt like constantly changing restrictions. The sheer level of activity carried out in the past 12 months by our staff and members has been phenomenal. We can see the positive impact of this work in many areas and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the achievements listed. Winslade, J., Monk, G., & Drewery, W. (1997). Sharpening the critical edge: A social constructionist approach to counselor education. In T. L. Sexton & B. L. Griffin (Eds.), Constructivist thinking in counseling practice, research, and training (pp. 228–248). New York: Teachers College Press.

In 16 rich chapters, the reader is stimulated, challenged and cajoled to consider the lived realities of queer experiences [...] This book tasks us all to think about our positions and privileges and to question the status quo.' Frank, D. A., II, & Cannon, E. P. (2010). Queer theory as pedagogy in counselor education: A framework for diversity training. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 4(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538600903552731. As I write the welcome to this annual review, I’ve reflected on another year of change, growth and how we continue to adapt to an evolving external landscape.

Idiosyncratic meaning-making processes involving cultural symbolism and metaphor are also common features of psychedelic healing processes in MDMA-assisted therapy ( Ching, 2020; Williams et al., 2020). Therefore, clinicians may encourage participants to bring personally significant objects that symbolize self-acceptance to the dosing sessions. Clinicians may similarly consider working collaboratively with participants regarding the music used during dosing sessions to further affirm queer identities. For example, given the invalidating and potentially traumatic experiences many queer individuals have with religious institutions, the overtly religious music sometimes used in psychedelic dosing sessions can be triggering and undo the safe container. Having queer participants hear and vet samples of intended music playlists may be a queer-affirming means of therapeutic collaboration. This is usually because they’ve felt misunderstood, misrepresented, unheard, and hurt by others – all in ways that undermine and threaten a core part of their identity. In a world that is sadly prejudiced against those who are perceived as different because of heteronormativity, navigating life as a LGBTQIA+ person means being repeatedly challenged in ways that cisgender and/or heterosexual people aren’t. This is further exacerbated if we consider additional prejudices such as racism, and classism. In this volume, editor and psychotherapist Jane C. Czyzselska speaks with practitioners and clients from diverse modalities and lived experiences, exploring and rethinking some of the unique challenges encountered in a world that continues to marginalize queer lives. The contributors to Queering Psychotherapy present key insights and practical advice in a dynamic conversational format, providing intimate access to therapists' personal and professional knowledge and reflections. James SE et al. US transgender survey 2016. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality. 5. Budge SL, Moradi B. Attending to gender in psychotherapy: understanding and incorporating systems of power. Journal of Clinical Psychology 2018; 74(11): 2014-2027.