Expanding the Therapy Paradigm with Queer Couples: A Relational Intersectional Lens

Abstract

North American and global cultures in general-and the field of Couple and Family Therapy in particular-have made significant strides toward recognizing and validating LGBTQ identities and relationships. However, clinical assessment and conceptualization of queer couples still lack the complexity needed to encompass the issues involved in treatment. Existing literature provides clinicians a basic understanding of queer couples and the dynamics that make them unique from nonqueer couples. However, much of this knowledge has been normed on White middle-class couples and has rarely included couples with transgender or bisexual members. This article invites clinicians and researchers to apply a feminist model of intersectionality to understand queer couples. Our proposed intersectional lens considers multiple axes of identity and power and their interrelationships (Crenshaw, 1989, 1991). We argue that intersectionality is important for understanding all identities, whether privileged or marginalized (Falicov, 2003). This application of the concept of intersectionality is unique in its relational focus, emphasizing how partners' complex individual identities overlap with and intersect with one another. Additionally, this lens considers how the therapists' and clients' multidimensional identities intersect. Three case studies are presented to illustrate application of the intersectional lens. In each case, exploring the partners' multiple social locations, their influences on one another, and the therapist's intersections of identity all proved critical to the direction of therapy.

From Knowing to Doing: Guidelines for Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy

“…Supervisors and training programs are looking for ways to promote cultural sensitivity, global awareness, and equity (e.g., Allan & Poulsen, ; Falender, Shafranske, & Falicov, ; Hernández & McDowell, ; McGeorge, Carlson, Erickson, & Guttormson, ; Platt & Laszloffy, ; Tohidian & Quek, ; Winston & Piercy, ). Preparation for just practice frequently includes development of emotional reflexivity, person‐of‐the‐therapist work, and strategies for dialogue across differences (Aponte & Kissil, ; Garcia, Košutic, & McDowell, ; Hardy & Bobes, ; McGeorge & Carlson, ; Nixon et al., ; Watts‐Jones, ), as well as attention to nuances of power and meaning in each person's intersecting contextual niche (Addison & Coolhart, ; Falicov, ; George & Stith, ).…”

Transnational Intersectionality in Family Therapy With Resettled Refugees

“…Resources intended to educate clinicians on cultural differences are important, however, merely gathering information about cultural practices and differences is not enough (Dyche & Zayas, ). Moreover, existing conceptualizations of cultural competence have been critiqued for their lack of explicit attention to structures of oppression and marginalization (Addison & Coolhart, ; Cai, ; Falicov, ). Instead, critical multiculturalism approaches which place race, culture, and ethnicity at the core of therapy process are considered more appropriate (McDowell & Fang, ).…”

“…The use of intersectionality as a framework in family therapy has been articulated with other, nonrefugee populations to help center examination of systemic issues of power and oppression, and family relationships (Addison & Coolhart, ; Brown, ; Dee‐Watts Jones, ; Falicov, ; McDowell & Fang, ; Seedall et al., ). For instance, Melendez and McDowell () discussed the intersections of race, class, and gender across social locations in therapy with an immigrant couple from Peru.…”

Clinical and Supervisory Considerations for Transgender Therapists: Implications for Working with Clients

“…This self-of-therapist work allowed me to be reflective, kind, and patient, as my clients adjusted to my transition. Addison and Coolhart (2015), describe how many transgender individuals experience a "second coming out" (p. 443) as they now must expose their gender identity versus sexual orientation. For many transgender individuals, this task may be more difficult than the first as they strive to be seen as their affirmed gender.…”