67th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 25

Afternoon Open Sessions

Session 305

Love, Loathing, and Countertransference: Working with LGBTQ Group Members

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA SIG for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Issues

Chair:

Joel C. Frost, Ed.D., ABPP, CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Boston, Massachusetts

Presenters:

Cara J. Armstrong, Ph.D., Senior Staff Psychologist, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Charles H. Bittner, M.Div., M.A., CGP, Private Practice, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

Jeanne L. Bunker, M.S.S.W., CGP, Private Practice, Austin, Texas

Justin B. Hecht, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, San Francisco, California

With greater societal acceptance and political correctness, the dark regions of hate, loathing, envy, attraction, and other countertransference with LGBTQ group members is more challenging. We present a range of theories, years in practice, sexual orientation, and geography to explore our honest experiences and yours. Come prepared to explore and share.  

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Define and illustrate countertransference across multiple theoretical orientations.
2. Illustrate various countertransference dilemmas that arise when working with LGBTQ group members.
3. Demonstrate the construction of a safe supervisory environment within which to explore countertransference.

Course References:

Frost, J. C. Countertransference Considerations for the Gay Male When Leading Psychotherapy Groups for Gay Men. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy 1998; 48, (1) 3-24.

Ormont, Louis R. (2001). The use of the group in resolving the subjective countertransference. The technique of group treatment: the collected papers of Louis R. Ormont. Furgeri, Lena Blanco (Ed). Madison CT, Psychosocial Press, pp. 191-205.

Epstein, Lawrence (1977). The therapeutic function of hate in the countertransference. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 13(4), October 1977, 442-461.