Couple Therapy with Gay Men [Hardcover]

David E. Greenan Ed.D. (Author), Gil Tunnell Phd (Author), David Greenan (Author), Gil Tunnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1572308087 | ISBN-13: 978-1572308084 | Edition: 1

This book illuminates the unique needs of gay male couples in therapy and provides a practical framework for clinical intervention. The authors review the basic principles of structural family therapy and guide therapists in adapting treatment goals and interventions to better serve gay clients. Addressed are the universal issues faced by all couples in therapy, gay and straight, as well as the particular challenges gay men face in building nurturing, intimate relationships in a homophobic society. Extensive case examples and session transcripts are used to illustrate effective strategies for helping clients affirm the strength of their union, even in the absence of familial and social support; learn to resolve differences constructively; and overcome culturally conditioned barriers to connection and trust.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Among the numerous books on couples therapy it can safely be said that none match Couple Therapy with Gay Men in scope or depth....We are provided a step-by-step narrative of an exciting behavioral process, rooted in Minuchin's structural theory of family therapy, which aims at corrective experiences and personal growth through an interactive, here-and-now process. This program, richly illustrated by case examples, offers some valuable pointers, some directed specifically at gay therapists working with gay couples....This book merits the interest of all clinicians doing couples therapy."--Leo Goldberger, PhD, Behavioral Science Books Advisory Board Member

"This masterful book--grounded in vivid case examples--gives readers a clear theoretical framework and a 'how-to' guide for intervening actively with gay male couples in therapy. Whereas almost all previous works deal only with the intrapsychic dynamics of the individual partners, this one goes much further, shining a bright light on couple-level processes. The integration of family systems, gender socialization, and gay identity development theories is brilliant!"--Robert-Jay Green, PhD, Alternative Family Institute, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University; coeditor of Lesbians and Gays in Couples and Families

"A breakthrough book. Greenan and Tunnell eloquently describe a clear and compassionate model of therapy that is applicable to gay and straight couples alike, while demonstrating enormous sensitivity to the particular issues confronting gay couples in a homophobic culture. Telling the powerful and poignant stories of gay men courageously building their lives together, Couple Therapy with Gay Men is a superb teaching book about the art of couples treatment. I highly recommend it."--David Treadway, PhD

"In this timely and informative book, we are introduced to the outer world and inner lives of gay men in intimate relationships. In understanding the uniqueness of this bonding, we learn much about the development of sexual identity and the effects of gender acculturation on gay couples' interpersonal dynamics and complementary roles. We also learn much about the nature of love and the elements that go into all intimate relationships. The model of couple therapy presented here is based on transcending cultural stereotypes and creating an identity as a couple based on expanded role definitions, and the in-depth case studies are both informative and inspiring. This book should be required reading for students of psychotherapy as well as experienced therapists."--Peggy Papp, MSW, Ackerman Institute for the Family, NYC

"What is the road map for intimacy among males? Can members of a gay couple allow themselves to be vulnerable with their partners? What is the therapeutic process that expands the experience of a gay couple beyond the accepted norms of the dominant culture for intimacy? In order to elucidate these questions, [this] book presents case excerpts that are written in a form that invites you into the office, where you can observe the respectful way in which therapy moves from support to challenge and to the expansion and incorporation of complexity....Greenan and Tunnell deliver what they have promised: a guide for therapy with gay couples that is clear, practical, and useful."--from the Foreword by Salvador Minuchin, MD

"This book is a much-needed addition to the literature on treating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. If you think gay couples are just like any other couples, Greenan and Tunnell will change your thinking. As they reveal, gay couples face unique challenges and bring unique strengths to their intimate relationships. Couple Therapy with Gay Men is the perfect place to start your education about how to make therapy relevant and helpful for these clients."--Laura Markowitz, Editor, In The Family: The Magazine for Queer People and their Loved Ones

About the Author

David E. Greenan, EdD, is Executive Director of The Minuchin Center for the Family, where he teaches family therapy and consults to agencies that serve inner-city poor families. He is also a psychologist and family therapist in private practice in New York City.

Gil Tunnell, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in full-time private practice in New York City. He supervises and trains psychiatric residents and psychology interns in family therapy at Beth Israel Medical Center.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (October 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572308087
• ISBN-13: 978-1572308084
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for working with gay male couples, December 17, 2006

By 

Dr. Joe Kort "(www.JoeKort.com)" (Royal Oak, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Couple Therapy with Gay Men (Hardcover)

I have purchased almost every gay and lesbian book to assist me in my own writing and work with gay men. This book is by far one of the better ones. These authors do a great job explaining gender role and how this manifests in male to male relationships. It confirmed a lot of what I have already seen in my practice and taught me ways of working with male couples that I was not doing. Very good work I highly recommend it.