Current Issues in Psychotherapy With Gay Men: Impact of the AIDS Phenomenon

This article addresses the impact of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) phenomenon on psychotherapy with asymptomatic gay men. We discuss specific issues pertaining to psychotherapy with gay men and offer suggestions about how professionals might address these issues in the helping conte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 1988-08, Vol.19 (4), p.395-402
Main Authors: Barrows, Paul A, Halgin, Richard P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS
Biological and medical sciences
Human
Male Homosexuality
Medical sciences
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychotherapies. Psychological and clinical counseling
Psychotherapy
Treatments
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Summary:This article addresses the impact of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) phenomenon on psychotherapy with asymptomatic gay men. We discuss specific issues pertaining to psychotherapy with gay men and offer suggestions about how professionals might address these issues in the helping context. We discuss how therapists can help gay clients (a) to develop a positive gay identity, (b) to reevaluate their patterns of socializing, (c) to learn safe sex techniques and develop positive attitudes toward them, (d) to learn new styles of intimacy, (e) to understand the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody test and the implications of testing, and (f) to develop coping strategies for dealing with the loss of loved ones and acquaintances.
ISSN:0735-7028
1939-1323
DOI:10.1037/0735-7028.19.4.395