Theorising lesbian and gay affirmative psychotherapy : a grounded analysis

This thesis presents the findings of a qualitative research study exploring lesbian and gay affirmative psychotherapy. The participants comprised two sets of people. The first are lesbian and gay male clients, the second are lesbian, gay male and heterosexual female therapists. These therapists are accredited Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, Registered Psychotherapists and Accredited Counsellors and identify as lesbian and gay affirmative -practitioners. The study explored accounts of lesbian and gay affirmative psychotherapy to see in which ways it is qualitatively different from other forms of therapy with a view to theorising the process of lesbian and gay affirmative psychotherapy. In-depth interviews were conducted and a grounded theory methodology was undertaken. This is discussed in terms of method and epistemology. The findings are represented in diagrammatic and text forms and I outline process models of lesbian and -gay affirmative therapy. While some of the findings have suggested that lesbian and gay affirmative therapeutic practice might be characterised by particular stances or practices, many of the findings can be incorporated'into a range of psychotherapeutic perspectives. Knowledge, training and contextual factors are discussed