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Publication Date

2023-4

First Advisor

James Drisko

Second Advisor

Rory Crath

Third Advisor

Martha Hadley

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

prejudices, enactments, psychoanalysis, LGBTQ+ clinicians

Abstract

This study investigates the ways in which psychoanalytic mental health clinicians in North America (United States and Canada) face and manage prejudices targeting gender diversity with LGBTQ+ clients, and what they do or do not do to prevent and repair ruptures in the therapeutic alliance through latrogenic gender enactments. The predominantly white sample was comprised of psychoanalytic clinicians: members of the International Psychoanalytical Association that trained and practices in the United States and Canada, and the years of experience oscillated between 3 and 48 years. There were 20 eligible participants for a 60- to 90-minute semi-structured interview; 14 males and 6 females. Ten participants out of the 20 identified as queer, gay, bisexual and/or trans. The results support current trends in prejudice studies that recommend symbolic relationships with members of the prejudiced-against community to achieve the dismantling of internalized prejudices. It provides evidence of the importance of accessibility at all levels of institutional psychoanalysis to address systemic prejudices that impact the training of beginning clinicians and deter LGBTQ+ people from accessing psychoanalytic treatments that can be beneficial. Lastly, participants strongly advocated for a revision of pedagogic curricula that includes a less harmful conceptualization of gender and sexual diversity.

Rights

©2023 Marco Posadas. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

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