Doris Bersing, PhD
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Psychological Issues for LGBT Sexual Orientation

Copyright : leedsn

Copyright : leedsn

When discussing psychological issues involving our LGBT folks, we want to depathologize those issues and assure our clients, there IS NOTHING WRONG with them. The issues of sexual orientation, homosexuality, coming out, stigma, family rejection, homophobia are at the forefront when working with LGBT people. Even traditional organizations as the  American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844 – the world’s largest psychiatric organization that is a medical specialty society representing growing membership of more than 35,000 psychiatrists and the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry, works together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders states that being part of the LGBT spectrum is not a mental illness…. THANK YOU, What a concept!

Talking about a concept, the APA states that “…the concept of sexual orientation refers to more than sexual behavior. It includes feelings as well as identity. Some individuals may identify themselves as gay lesbian or bisexual without engaging in any sexual activity. Some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person’s lifetime. Individuals maybe become aware at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual… Read More


Gay and Lesbian Couples Counseling

Copyright : Rudolph Pieterse

I am always looking for the latest, the newest article or event related to LGBT well-being or LGBT rights, just a passion of mine, and part of my practice. However, some things like the Iliad by Homer and the Bible are timeless. Not always the newer is the better. For instance, I ran into a wonderful article by by Michael C. LaSala, Ph.D., LCSW in Gay and Lesbian Well-Being for Psychology Today where he addresses the issues of  “Helping Same-Sex Couples Who’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”

Dr. LaSala stresses the importance  -in the midst of our fight for same sex marriage, he addresses how to avoid same sex divorce, and said “…What about couples’ therapy? If your relationship is having problems and you are pursuing this step, that’s a good sign–the prognosis for your partnership is good because people who take action to save (or improve) a troubled relationship often manage to do so. However, if you’re looking for someone to referee your conflicts, or to finally convince your thickheaded partner of your unassailable sense of fairness and the truth, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Over the past 25 years, I have done quite a bit of relationship therapy and here is some of what I have learned that you should keep in mind as you move forward…”

Sometimes, I think couples, LGBT or others just wait too long to seek therapy and sometimes it is too late when they come to see me for help. Perhaps this article will help you to do the right thing in a timely manner (wink-wink). Read Dr. LaSala article


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