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The Honeymoon is Over Narrative Sex Therapy for Long-Term Lesbian Partners. Marny Hall, Ph.D. Marny Hall, Ph.D. Therapist Researcher Writer Producer Participates in seminars worldwide
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The Honeymoon is OverNarrative Sex Therapy for Long-Term Lesbian Partners Marny Hall, Ph.D.
Marny Hall, Ph.D. • Therapist • Researcher • Writer • Producer • Participates in seminars worldwide • In 1998, she was designated a “Fellow” of the gay and lesbian division of the American Psychological Association
“Change our sexual stories… and we change our erotic lives” (p. 285). • Narrative therapy can provide LGBT clients with specificskills and strategiestobuildtheiridentity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naF8FPPQJXg
Lesbian Identity: The Forever-After Factor • Lesbian couples do not have the same benefits as heterosexual couples. • Marriage is based on an axiom; “What is real must last” vs. “What lasts must be real” • Lesbian couples believe in pscyhotherapy. Surveys have shown that 73% of self-identified lesbians have sought therapeutic help. • During the process of therapy, therapists and clients work together re-scripting and building new love stories that will certify the couple’s togetherness.
The Mnemonic L.E.S.B.I.A.N. Guide toForeverAfter and Beyond • L: Long-Lasting Love • E: Equality • S: Sex • B: Balance • I: Intimacy • A: Achievement • N: Never Again
Changingthe Narrative How do therapistsgetfromoldnarrativesto new ones? • Context-ShiftingQuestions • UntanglingStorySnarls • InflectionStrategies • Resisting Narrative Pulls • DisruptingNarratives • MultiplyingNarratives • Performance Strategies
Case Study Michelle and Julie: Forever-After and Never Again Julie = “the problem” Michelle = “unhappy” • Different histories (narratives) • Treatment (goals, process vs. content, homework) • Anger = taboo • Re-scripting narratives • Negotiation
Personal Viewpoint “We dream in narrative, day dream in narrative, remember, anticipate, hope, despair, believe, doubt, plan, revise, criticise, construct, gossip, learn, hate and love by narrative”. • Barbara Hardy • Changing narratives and editing stories • Challenging and empowering clients • Applies to any population • Sex Education
Reference Kleinplatz, P. J. (2012). New Directions in Sex Therapy: Innovations and Alternatives (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.