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Case Study #2

John and Michael, in their mid 30s, seek couples sessions todeal with their constant fighting. As their therapist you treattheir relationship as you would any other couple's relationship,helping them address communication skills within theirrelationship. As the work proceeds, it is revealed that John is outto his family (who accepts him entirely) and publicly, whileMichael does not want his family to know he is gay. This isfrustrating to John, who wants a “normal life, including Michael’sfamily being part of my family.” Michael reports to the therapistthat he wants to communicate to his partner, John the terribleanxiety he feels in light of his family’s religious beliefs,particularly his fear that his family will likely never accept himor his relationship with John. In their most recent session, Johnand Michael disclose that that have gotten engaged and are planningtheir wedding as well as discussing a future in which they plan toadopt a child. While this should be a happy time in theirrelationship, it has led to further dispute due to Michael’sunwillingness to share this news with his family.

2. How would you assess this couple within a contextualperspective of LGBTQ issues?

3. How would you intervene with this couple within acontextual perspective of LGBTQ issues?