Lesbians in Psychotherapy

Shame and Psychosocial Development in Religiously Affiliated Sexual Minority Women

“…Yet to date, only a few studies have compared internalized shame levels in sexual minorities with non-sexual minority women (heterosexual women). While not conclusive, these findings suggest that sexual minority women may have higher levels of internalized shame than non-sexual minority women, especially those who have not fully integrated a sexual minority identity (Greene & Britton, 2012; Wells, 2003; Wells & Hansen, 2003).…”

“…Additionally, many sexual minority women feel stigmatized or marked (Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 2009), constantly fearing rejection or discrimination. Wells (2003) suggested that shame in sexual minority women is a consequence of this type of stigma. Sexual minority stress, resulting from the combination of living with and concealing a stigmatized minority status, the internalization of society’s negative attitudes and beliefs, and the expectation or actual experience of violence, discrimination, or rejection (Meyer, 2003), has been associated with increased emotional distress, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidality, and substance use (Lehavot & Simoni, 2011).…”

Shame in Sexual Minorities: Stigma, Internal Cognitions, and Counseling Considerations

“…Writing specifically about lesbian women, Haendiges (2001) stated, "It is accepted that shame is pervasive and deeply ingrained in the identity of a lesbian" (p. 9). Additionally, empirical studies have begun to document high levels of shame in those who experience same-sex attractions, as compared with a male heterosexual sample (Martins, Tiggemann, & Kirkbride, 2007) and as compared with a clinically significant cutoff score (Wells, 2003;Wells & Hansen, 2003). Finally, same-sex attracted individuals who also hold a religious identity commonly admit to conflict between their religion and their attractions and, consequently, feel shame and guilt (Brzezinski, 2000;Schuck & Liddle, 2001).…”

“…The goal of affect regulation is to develop adaptive methods of releasing painful feelings (Adams & Robinson, 2001;Wells, 2003) so that painful emotions are not allowed to control behavior (Linehan, 1993). To summarize, regulating shame includes (a) withholding natural maladaptive reactions, (b) using selfsoothing techniques to mollify the feelings of shame, (c) willfully refocusing attention outward (Kaufman, 1996), then (d) deciding how to act (Gottman & Katz, 1990).…”

“…Although not considered an essential component of cognitive therapy approaches, a secure and supportive therapeutic relationship is believed to be key to helping a client reduce shame, particularly within a sexual minority population (American Psychological Association [APA], 2009;Gair, 2004;Haendiges, 2001;Kaufman, 1996;Sherry, 2007;Wells, 2003). Shame includes the deep belief that others will reject, abandon, or feel disdain toward the person if his or her flaw became known.…”