In 1977, when I was 14 years old, I became suicidal from knowing I was gay. Back then, I had literally no images of gay men. Nothing! I was with a male therapist at Jewish Family Services of Detroit who encouraged me to date girls and saw my adolescence as a second chance at "healing and repairing my broken sexuality."

He meant well--he really did. It was 1978 and the latest information was that adolescence was a second chance at healing homosexuality.

Today we know this is untrue. There isn't anything that can nor will "heal" homosexuality. But try I did!!

My therapist at the time truly helped me in ways that are invaluable to me today. He helped me talk about my homosexuality and lose the shame and the embarrassment. He was like the father I never had. I saw him twice a week for three years (which is unheard of for teen boys to do whether gay, bisexual or straight!). He meant the world to me and even though misguided about what to do about my gayness, I felt he was genuinely interested in me--something I greatly needed as a lost gay teenager.

So it is my honor and privilege to go back to the place where I first started my own psychotherapy and teach clinicians how to effectively work with their lesbian and gay clientelle.
I have been back to JFS of Detroit many times and each time I feel like I am not only helping heal the lesbian and gay teenagers and adults being treated by the JFS therapists, I am also healing myself.

For me it is a homecoming.

Warmly,

Joe Kort, LMSW

 

DATE: Wednesday September 30, 2009

TIME: 9AM to 3:30PM

LOCATION: West Bloomfield, MI

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Growing up gay can cause developmental injuries around identity and competency, as well as, intimacy and sexuality, which can lead to adult relational disorders and other mental health problems. Because psychotherapy is largely focused on presenting symptoms, these developmental injuries are rarely addressed in treatment.

This workshop prepares clinicians to address the frequently overlooked developmental injuries and covert, internalized heterosexism and homophobia symptoms of the gay and lesbian client. An effective psychodynamic, relational approach which affirms gay / lesbian identity and sexuality will be presented. Clinical issues, such as transference, stages of coming out, family and relationship dynamics, and the connection between sexuality and shame, will be discussed. Via discussion, guided imagery, and case examples, the presenter will share specific interventions and assessment tools that promote gay - affirmative therapy.

Typically, the focus in psychotherapy is on presenting symptoms, therefore, the developmental injuries around identity and competency, as well as, intimacy and sexuality of gay and lesbian clients are rarely addressed in treatment. This workshop prepares clinicians to address the frequently overlooked developmental injuries and the covert internalized heterosexism and homophobia symptoms of the gay and lesbian client, and presents an effective psychodynamic, relational approach which affirms gay / lesbian identity and sexuality.

 

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