LESBIANS AND PSYCHOANALYSIS : Revolutions in Theory and Practice

Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive look at lesbian issues.
Review: Finally, a book that explores lesbian development from a nonpathological perspective; it's about time.
This book looks at lesbian development, struggles, and strengths from multiple psychodyanamic vantage points (primarily self-psychological and object relations theories).

It is perfect for the beginning clinician--gay or straight--who wants to work from a psychodynamic perspective, without holding the traditional psychoanalytic belief system that lesbians are derailed at a particular psychosexual stage.

Unlike many psychoanalytic books which deem relationship problems, shame issues, depression, and the like as related to arrested development in gay people, the authors in Lesbians and Psychoanalysis: Revoluations in Theory and Practice, suggest that clinicians must look at the role of culture, which deems heterosexuality the norm, in the creation of such issues.

This is a book that leads the way in questioning traditional views of psychopathology, emphasizing problems and issues specific to lesbians, and encouraging acceptance of differences.