Gay Subjects Relating: Object Relations Between Gay Therapist and Gay Client

SUMMARY

This paper discusses the development of object relations theory which, in Britain, was developed as an extension of Freudian psychoanalysis by such thinkers as Melanie Klein, Fairbairn, Winnicott and their followers and later supported by research from attachment theorists like Bowlby. Object relations theorists made a shift from the conception of a drive-based psyche to one that was primarily motivated towards relationships. Contemporary object relations theory acknowledges the primacy of relationships, which results in the close attention and utilisation of the constantly active system of transference, counter transference, and projective identification in the space between therapist and client. This paper examines object relations in the context of its unique challenges for gay male therapists working with gay male clients in the gay therapeutic dyad. This paper reviews the legacy of homo-negativity in the therapeutic process. It then explores how knowledge of object relations theory can be useful for therapists working within a gay therapeutic dyad.

KEYWORDS:

• Attachment
• countertransference
• gay
• gay therapeutic dyad
• gay therapist
• homosexuality
• object relations
• projective identification
• psychoanalysis
• psychotherapy
• therapeutic relationship
• transference