Male Same Sex Families Coping With Loss

Guidelines in Assisting Gay Family Members to Deal with Loss

Although the Goliath family have their fair share of difficulties, like most gay men (Haldeman, 2010), they after all appear to be a well-functioning and resilient couple. On account of their adaptability, intensive therapy might not be justified. Nonetheless, there are certain aspects that a therapist need to consider when dealing with male same-sex couples. Some of the aspects that will be included in this section involve (a) the therapist’s own feelings regarding the therapeutic relationship with gay men; (b) putting the men at ease; (c) issues that the men might experience regarding sexual stigma, discrimination and shame; (d) mental health concerns; (e) disclosure of sexual identity to family; and (f) the experience of loss.

The Therapist’s Comfort Level When Dealing with a Same Sex Couple

Beginning therapists should not be hard on themselves for experiencing a level of discomfort when dealing with same sex couples. Acquiring a level of comfort to work with diverse populations such as same sex couples is a gradual process that accompanies the personal growth of the therapist (Green, Murphy, Blumer, & Palmanteer, 2009). Consequently, there is a need for therapists to increase interactions with gay and lesbian populations in order to explore personal biases, unaccommodating religious convictions, and stereotypes that might interfere with effective assistance (Green et al., 2009). In essence, Haldeman (2010) suggested that one should “be willing to confront and monitor without shame one’s own homophobia or lack of understanding about LGBT issues in general” (p. 185).

Putting the Men at Ease

The therapist should try to put the clients at ease, especially in cases w...

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