Homophobia and Gay Affirmative Transactional Analysis

Abstract

This article describes homophobia—both institutionalized and internalized—and offers two transactional analysis models for understanding it. The author then discusses homophobia within psychotherapy, including transactional analysis, and deals with clinical issues relating to psychotherapy with lesbian and gay people. A gay affirmative psychotherapy that includes consideration of transference and countertransference phenomena and the therapeutic relationship is described along with a gay affirmative transactional analysis treatment model.

Untitled

“…Returning to relevant TA theory, of particular note in the context of this research is Stuthridge's (2006) observation that "disorganized attachment in children predicts dissociative symptoms in adults" (Stuthridge, 2006, p.274), which led the authors to question to what extent the combat-related PTSD exhibited by veterans participating in this study, several of whom originated in highly dysfunctional families, had been exacerbated by insecure and, sometimes, abusive attachments during childhood. Perhaps, therefore, these individuals were exhibiting what Schnurr and Friedman (1997) much extant research into the effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating PTSD, there is also the fact that all 15 veterans in this study were male and, mindful of Shadbolt's (2004) comments on the curative necessity of the twinship transference (Kohut, 1984) and sameness experiences in the therapeutic relationship, it is interesting to speculate how the results might have differed had there been female veterans available for study.…”

Understanding Empathy

“…This is one reason why reflection of feelings advocated and practiced by Rogers and his followers often proves so effective. (p. 290) Within transactional analysis there are no journal articles on the subject of belonging, although it is the subject of some discussion in articles by Caracushansky (1980), Caracushansky andGiampeitro (1987), andShadbolt (2004). Maslow (1954) placed belonging below but, reading from the bottom up, before self-actualization in his hierarchy of needs, and it is implied in some of the relational needs identified by Erskine and Trautmann (1996) (e.g., to feel validated, affirmed, and significant; to be accepted by a stable, dependable, and protective other; to have an impact on others; and to express love).…”

Why Have Sex?: A Case Study in Character, Perversion, and Free Choice

“…The theme issue of the Transactional Analysis Journal on gay and lesbian sexuality offered the first sustained discussion of sexuality in the history of the Journal. In it Conley (2004) and Shadbolt (2004) argued for gay affirmative psychotherapies, Johnson (2004) and Kellett (2004) examined factors in the formation of lesbian and gay identities and identity politics, and Trett (2004) proposed a model of transactional analysis treatment informed by queer theory.…”