QUEER WOMEN and Therapy
"Will I be taken seriously or will
my way of life be pathologized?"
Women who love women have unique concerns
when selecting a psychotherapist.
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What if the therapist doesn't share my world view?
“Will the societal pressures I experience be validated?"
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“Will my marriage be honored as equal to a straight marriage?”
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“Will this therapist understand the complexity of the coming out process?”
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These are vitally important issues when entering a therapeutic relationship, where the essence of your entire being is integral to growth and healing.
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Entering therapy in and of itself puts one in an extremely vulnerable position. Anxiety about a therapist’s acceptance of one’s sexual identity magnifies this vulnerability, sometimes to the point of foregoing treatment.
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It is not critical -- or even possible -- for a precise world view match to exist between any two people. In order for your most important concerns to be addressed effectively, two options exist.
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The first is to find a well-trained therapist who is able to utilize their own self awareness and clear internal boundaries to facilitate the best possible therapeutic process for you. Their goal is to guide you to your own truth. They are there to see you through obstacles that stand against that truth.
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The second is to locate a therapist who meets all the above criteria AND openly identifies as part of queer society. You may find it easier to relate to such a therapist because there are likely to be more points of reference in common, perhaps less need to explain, and even a feeling of kinship, which allows for a sense of trust sooner than it might otherwise.
I have extensive experience working with lesbian
individuals and couples, and I am deeply attuned to the particular issues they face.
