Searching for Sexual Authenticity: Interpreting Psychology’s Theories and Therapies of Homosexuality

Abstract

The purpose of this hermeneutic study was to discover the implicit and explicit assumptions, biases, and values of psychology’s theories and therapies of homosexuality by exploring the conceptual models that have dominated therapeutic practice. The models include gay affirmative therapy and Cass’s six-stage model of homosexual identity development. Additionally, this study examined the balance of ego and soul in these theories and therapies, arguing that sociological and cognitive approaches often overlook important elements of gay identity. The interpretation process yielded chapters on Cass’s unpublished doctoral thesis, James Hillman’s work on pathologizing and soul, and depth psychological perspectives on shame. The study concluded that a soul-affirmative and shame-sensitive approach to working with sexuality in the psychotherapy room can help lead a client toward sexual authenticity, which was defined as a fluid and ever-evolving state of being.