51社区

Abstract

The purpose of this hermeneutic study was to discover the implicit and explicit assumptions, biases, and values of psychology鈥檚 theories and therapies of homosexuality by exploring the conceptual models that have dominated therapeutic practice. The models include gay affirmative therapy and Cass鈥檚 six-stage model of homosexual identity development. Additionally, this study examined the balance of ego and soul in these theories and therapies, arguing that sociological and cognitive approaches often overlook important elements of gay identity. The interpretation process yielded chapters on Cass鈥檚 unpublished doctoral thesis, James Hillman鈥檚 work on pathologizing and soul, and depth psychological perspectives on shame. The study concluded that a soul-affirmative and shame-sensitive approach to working with sexuality in the psychotherapy room can help lead a client toward sexual authenticity, which was defined as a fluid and ever-evolving state of being.