From Psychoanalytic Bisexuality to Bisexual Psychoanalysis

Rapoport, Esther

doi:10.4324/9780429276705

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Do psychotherapists, like the general public, hold stereotypical views about bisexuality? Recently, Rapoport (2019) suggested that while same-sex attraction has, for the most part, been normalized, many psychologists continue to implicitly pathologize bisexuality. Historically, psychotherapists' views regarding bisexuality were shaped by psychosexual theories that conformed to a binary view of gender and to the aforementioned stereotypes about bisexuality.…”

Section: Bisexual Stereotypes Among Psychotherapistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bisexual stereotypes in clinical evaluation.

Ferster¹,

Zivony²

2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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Psychologists nowadays tend to view same-sex attraction as a normal part of human sexuality, but it is less clear whether they still hold prejudicial views regarding bisexuality. Previous studies have demonstrated that psychotherapists' clinical evaluation is affected by whether their client is bisexual. One plausible interpretation is that such differences stem from an uncritical adoption of bisexual stereotypes, namely, that bisexual people are confused, immature, and unable to maintain romantic relationships. However, an alternative hypothesis suggests that differences in evaluation may be based on the psychotherapists' experience with bisexual clients. To adjudicate between these possibilities, psychotherapists and clinical psychology interns (N = 229) were presented with a description of a hypothetical clienta bisexual man, a gay man, or a heterosexual manseeking counseling for academic issues. Compared to non-bisexual clients, bisexual clients were evaluated as more likely to suffer from identity and relationship issues. These clinical evaluations were observed regardless of whether the therapist was personally acquainted with bisexual people or had any experience with bisexual clients. Instead, stereotypical clinical issues were perceived as particularly salient among psychotherapists who viewed the hypothetical bisexual clients as immature and confused. These results suggest that like the general public, psychotherapists adhere to stereotypical beliefs about bisexual people. Such biases are likely to have negative impacts on bisexual clients' diagnoses and overall satisfaction from therapy. We conclude that education may be key to curbing anti-bisexual bias among psychotherapists and ensuring better therapeutic outcomes for bisexual clients. Public Significance StatementThe current study shows that psychotherapists' clinical evaluation of bisexual people is affected by the stereotypical notions that bisexual people are confused about their identity and unable to maintain intimate relationships. Addressing this issue is crucial as bisexual people are more likely to experience mental health issues and to report dissatisfaction from therapy.

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Section: Bisexual Stereotypes Among Psychotherapistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bisexual stereotypes in clinical evaluation.

Ferster¹,

Zivony²

2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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Bisexual and transgender potentialities in pornographic spectatorship

Engelberg

2024

Porn Studies

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Analytic/Jungian Psychotherapy and Same‐Sex/Queer Desire: Research Findings and Implications for Theory, Practice and Training

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2024

Brit J Psychotherapy

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Historically, analytic/Jungian psychotherapy has pathologised same‐sex/queer desire and excluded lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) and queer individuals from training as therapists. A mixed‐method study, conducted between 2014 and 2021, aimed to clarify how UK analytic/Jungian therapists working today thought about theory, clinical practice and training in relation to same‐sex/queer desire. A total of 287 registrants of the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) completed a clinical attitudes questionnaire, a 20% response rate. The quantitative and qualitative data were descriptively and thematically analysed. Using a purposive sampling technique, 36 analytic/Jungian therapists were interviewed. A Framework Analysis identified 10 overarching themes. Analytic/Jungian therapists are now better informed about some LGB/queer‐specific issues, such as internalised homophobia/biphobia and the challenges of living in a heterosexually structured society, but many continue to hold predominantly heteronormative and monosexual perspectives on love, relationships and sex. Some thinking and clinical practice with LGB/queer clients remains biased, out‐dated and potentially harmful. Despite some innovation and progress, not all trainings adequately cover LGB/queer‐specific issues, and anti‐LGB/queer discrimination persists at some training organisations. UK analytic/Jungian training organisations must continue their efforts to create non‐discriminatory learning and professional environments for LGB/queer individuals. This may involve further revision of the analytic/Jungian curriculum on same‐sex/queer desire and institutional reform consistent with BPC equality and non‐discrimination policies.

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From Psychoanalytic Bisexuality to Bisexual Psychoanalysis

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Bisexual stereotypes in clinical evaluation.

Bisexual stereotypes in clinical evaluation.

Bisexual and transgender potentialities in pornographic spectatorship

Analytic/Jungian Psychotherapy and Same‐Sex/Queer Desire: Research Findings and Implications for Theory, Practice and Training

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