Partner Relationships  Can Therapy Help?

Stephanie Gonzales, MA, MFT

Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community

Long Beach and Surrounding Areas

Relationships are difficult enough without the added stress of being a gay or lesbian couple in a largely straight society.  This lack of support and affirmation makes it a challenge for gay and lesbian couples to overcome the normal obstacles that most couples encounter.

My interventions with couples vary depending on the couple and the issues they face.  I do an initial assessment which includes an oral interview as well as some questionnaires for you and your partner to complete.  Then we discuss the findings and come up with appropriate goals.  Please read below to see if any of these issues are ones that you relate to as a couple.

General Couple Issues that can be addressed:

• Intimacy
  

• Communication
  

• Conflict
  

• Commitment
  

• Stress
  

• Sexuality
  

• Jealousy
  

Gay and Lesbian Couples face unique challenges such as:

• Gender Role and Power Differentials
  

• What to do after an affair? To stay together or Not?
  

• Resolving the monogamy Issue
  

• Gay Parenting options
  

• Jealousy Issues
  

• Shared finances or not?
  

• Shame in sexual expression
  

• "Open relationship?"
  

• Lesbian "bed death"?
  

• Effects of having a closeted partner
  

• Dealing with the "in-laws"/validating your relationship
  

• Domestic Violence and Drug Abuse
  

• Maintaining healthy boundaries with gay and lesbian friends
  

• Developing "couple affirming" relationships with others
  

• Differing views about flirting with others
  

• Spirituality conflicts