The study of sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, and sexual dysfunction have been focuses in therapy for decades. But how much does your average therapist really know about navigating a session with a gay or lesbian client dealing with a sexual issue?
According to sex therapist Joe Kort, many therapists today are following outdated sex therapy models, including the concept of sex addiction as a diagnosis and a problem. What’s more, he adds that very few therapists who call themselves addiction specialists get adequate training in sex therapy.
Here, Kort explains why we need to break free from old sexual health models and how to do so, why some straight men have sex with other men, and the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.
Watch the video on YouTube.
As Kort explains, the science around sex addiction is “riddled with morality and religiosity and people’s beliefs about what sex is or should be,” and therapists should tread carefully when examining older literature on treating of sexual issues.
Therapists working with LGBTQ clients, he adds, should be neither a blank slate, nor consider themselves an expert in working with LGBTQ clients unless they’ve worked extensively with this population, have proper training, and remain nonjudgmental and open to new ideas and perspectives.
Joe Kort
Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW, is a board-certified sexologist and the founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health, and runs a private practice in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Kort, a therapist, coach and author, has been practicing psychotherapy for more than 38 years and has spoken internationally on the subject of gay counseling. He specializes in sex therapy, LGBTQ affirmative psychotherapy, sexually compulsive behaviors, and IMAGO relationship therapy designed for couples to enhance their relationship through improved communication. Dr. Kort is a blogger for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today on issues of sexuality. He has been a guest on the various television programs on mixed orientation marriages and “sexual addiction”. Dr. Kort is the author of several books, including, LGBTQ Clients in Therapy, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Improve Their Lives, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Find Real Love, and Is My Husband Gay, Straight or Bisexual.
Chris Lyford
Chris Lyford is the Senior Editor at Psychotherapy Networker. Previously, he was Assistant Director and Editor of the The Atlantic Post, where he wrote and edited news pieces on the Middle East and Africa. He also formerly worked at The Washington Post, where he wrote local feature pieces for the Metro, Sports, and Style sections. Contact: clyford@psychnetworker.org.
