Psychoanalysis and gay men: Reappraisals of the transference -countertransference matrix using relational theories.

摘要

Traditional psychoanalysis has had a long history related to the treatment of gay men. Historically, analytic etiologies on homosexuality have strongly influenced the ways in which analysts have worked with gay men. According to classical analytic perspectives on the treatment of gay men, there has not been much discussion of the positive, normative, and creative aspects of homosexuality and same-sex desire. As a result, many gay male patients have not had opportunities to be vulnerable and have positive and creative experiences related to their differently structured erotic masculinity. For gay male patients, the analytic relationship has been fraught with obstacles not dissimilar from those experienced by society at large---or by the early father and son relationship.;It is difficult to delineate these impediments only with traditional psychoanalytic theories due to fundamental tenants related to abstinence and objectivity. As a way of enhancing these analytic perspectives, this dissertation has highlighted the concept of mutuality taken from the relational literature. Thematic concepts from traditional psychoanalytic literature on the treatment of gay men that were: (a) homophobia and heterosexual bias; (b) the binary concept of masculinity and femininity; and (c) the father and son relationship. In addition, thematic concepts that were taken from the relational literature were also discussed. These concepts included: (a) mutuality and mutual recognition; (b) the erotic and gender fears; and (c) foreclosure and disclosure.;This dissertation found that by redressing traditional psychoanalytic themes on the treatment of gay men with concepts taken from the relational literature, analysts might rework obstacles that gay men have encountered. The unique experiences for gay men have not been fully understood utilizing only traditional psychoanalytic perspectives on the treatment of gay men.;This dissertation may be the impetus for other research endeavors that could determine the impact that the relational concept of mutuality has, in terms of contributions to the analytic situation, for gay male patients working with non-gay male analysts.