Facilitated by Charley Lang, this course explores the engagement of strength-based narrative practices when consulting with clients identified as L(lesbian), G(gay), B(bisexual), T(transgender), and/or Q(queer) and addresses numerous issues pertinent to these clients and their lives. Organized into four self-paced lessons, the course also offers opportunities for registrants to interact through discussion forums and a live Webinar. Sign up for 8 APA Approved CE credits through Union Institute & University!
Review Archived Course Refections
This course began in 2014. Please review reflections by prior participants, organized according to the four course lessons.
Lesson 1: Situating Ourselves with a Narrative Stance
We begin Queer Counseling & Narrative Practice by questioning the dominant idea that there are only two genders and that sex should always be congruent with gender. This lesson follows five topics that focus on: addressing the concept of fluid sexualities and sexual orientations. identifying several assumptions that ground us in the work as narrative practitioners, deconstructing the marginalizing concept of “normal”. The lesson ends with a real-life narrative conversation that charts the history of personal empowerment in...
Lesson 1a) Up the Steep side
Have you finished reading Mary Heath’s article and/or watching her video? Charley would like to pose two questions to begin the conversation: What do you imagine compels some organizations to be unwavering in their binary understandings of life? How might the concept of fluid sexuality make a positive difference in some peoples’ lives? What do you think?...
Lesson 1b): Assumptions that Guide a Postmodern Approach to Therapy
Charley posted 12 of the assumptions that ground him in maintaining a client-centered, collaborative stance in his work with clients- as well as informing his living commitments as a person on the planet. Do any of these assumptions already operate in your life and/or work? If so, how? (choose one) Is there another assumption (here or not) that you’d like to consider inviting into your relational experience?...
Lesson 1c) Resisting Normativity
Before responding here, please read Resisting normativity: Queer musings on politics, identity, and the performance of therapy by Julie Tilsen and David Nylund. In this article, Julie & David propose that the modern gay rights movement engages in ‘hetero-normativity’, offering instead a ‘queer’ lens that honors multiple versions of sexual freedom and diversity. What is your response to the reclamation of the word ‘queer’ as a term of empowerment? Do you see the concept of...
Lesson 1d): Seminal Moments
Did you watch the video of the conversation between Charley and Peggy‘ at the Vancouver Therapeutic Conversations Conference? Seminal moments demonstrates the unique power of narrative inquiry in challenging the effects of heterosexism and homophobia. What strikes you about the line of questioning in this conversation? What question, if any, stands out for you as particularly intriguing, and why?...
Lesson 1e) Rhizomes
A rhizome is “a continuously growing underground root system that puts out lateral shoots, creating more growth inspired by the original plant”. Daffodils are a perfect example of a rhizome. In narrative therapy, we are always interested in the many ways our stories can potentially live on to inform and inspire others. In this section, we shared four unsolicited letters written by group participants in response to the Seminal Moments interview, and handed to Charley...
Lesson Two: Whose life is it anyway?
We started this discussion topic to begin conversation about the second lesson, which clarifies the use of externalizing language when working with LGBTQ clients. Charley gives a real-life case example illustrates the power of narrative practices in action, through the collaborative engagement of resilience in the face of trauma and abuse. We explore narrative inquiry in a group therapy context, as group members step out of isolation and into community. The lesson ends with an award-winning film that...
Lesson 2a: Where the bastard lies
What’s really Wrong with “Internalized Homophobia”? In this lesson 2 topic (click here to review), we explore the use of externalizing language in challenging the cultural forces of homophobia and heterosexual dominance. This forum is for reflections on “Internalized homophobia” – is this language antithetical to the foundational narrative practice of externalizing the problem?...
Lesson 2b: Some fluid practices of narrative therapy
Have you reviewed Charley’s list of “some fluid practices of narrative therapy?” (It’s here). Again, you will notice that the practices are not numbered, hence the term ‘fluid’, as these practices are employed as determined by the unfolding conversation. Can you pick one of these practices and imagine how it could be helpful to a queer-identified individual challenged by oppressive cultural forces of heterosexism? Anything else you would like to add or ask?...
Lesson 2c: Challenging the effects of childhood sexual abuse
Before joining this conversation please review (here) the brief article that Charley wrote in response to requests from students and colleagues interested in seeing narrative practices at work while addressing issues related to trauma. The article documents his experiences consulting with a client in his private practice. We invite you to read this article through the lens of the “fluid practices” identified in the previous lesson topic. What fluid narrative practices and/or assumptions do you notice...
Lesson 2d: Linking lives around shared themes
Before joining this conversation, please read the article Chris Behan here (originally published in Gecko). Chris describes the use of a reflecting team model in a group therapy setting, placing one client story at the center of the process, while creating space for the nurturing engagement of shared experiences and the engagement of community. What, if anything, did you notice about this process that was either surprising or different, based on your understanding of group counseling?...
Lesson 2e) Battle for the Tiara
September 25, 2014: Valentina Alexa...
Lesson 3) A queer umbrella for all?
This forum is for conversation relating to the third lesson of Queer counseling & Narrative practice (A queer umbrella for all). This lesson includes: the marginalizing effects of many religious beliefs on LGBTQ identified individuals, along with alternative paths to spiritual re-connection. the challenges faced by many families when an adolescent “comes out” as LGBT or Q. aAn award-winning film celebrating the first gay & lesbian prom in America. an exercise engaging the narrative...
Lesson 3a): Queer Lives & Spiritual leanings
Before posting, please review the article, Queer lives & spiritual leanings by Charles Jasper here. This article describes the process of how some LGBTQ individuals are able to stay connected and become re-connected to spiritual values, despite the oppressive effects of homophobia and heterosexual dominance at the core of many religious teachings and practices. In what ways do you understand someone wanting to be a member of a religious group that doesn’t want them as a member? How, if...
Lesson 3b): Pathways for Parents
Before joining in, please read the article: Narrative therapy pathways for re-authoring with parents of adolescents coming out as lesbian, gay & bisexual by Susan Salzburg (here). Susan provides case examples of parents and teens employing narrative practices to re-claim their individual values and family relationships in the face of challenging cultural forces. Special attention is paid to addressing multicultural issues of privilege, power, and the ‘coming-out’ process. What did you most appreciate about this article? How, if...
Lesson 3d) Exploring heterosexism exercise
Come try out the exploring heterosexism exercise here. Which question(s) here stood out for you as most interesting and/or unexpected? Which question(s), if any, do you imagine being most helpful in separating an individual from the oppressive effects of heterosexism in the culture?...
Lesson Four: Voices from the margins
This topic introduces “Voices from the Margins” – the fourth (and final) lesson in this course. Before joining this conversation, please review the lesson materials here. This lesson gives voice to unique experiences of both transgender and bisexual individuals, including an exercise to help identify and engage queer preferences. An award-winning film addressing the challenges and celebrating the triumphs of gay and lesbian law enforcement officers from across the United States completes this lesson. ...
Lesson 4a) S/he
Before joining in, please be sure you’ve read the article, S/he by Jesse Green (July 4, 2012, New York Magazine). You can find it here. this article details issues faced by many trans*-identified youth and their families, including a challenge to the medical notion of psychopathology, along with the recent, controversial emergence of “puberty blockers.” How might the narrative assumption of the client as expert inform some of the challenges faced by these families? What...
Lesson 4b): Bisexuality
Before joining the conversation, please read Forms of Bisexuality by Kathy Labriola here. This article identifies 13 potential variations on bisexual expression and identity, expanding on the notion that there can be a multiplicity of ways in which we live and describe our sexual experiences. What do you imagine is so challenging for some people about the notion of bisexuality? How might a wider lens like the one suggested in this article make room for otherwise silenced...
Lesson 4c: Queer Preferences Exercise
Please review here the exercise created to identify and bring forward stories of preference for queer-identified individuals, informed by personal values, hopes and dreams for the future. How do you imagine some of these questions making a difference in the lives of individuals who’ve felt marginalized by certain cultural dictates? Is there a particular question here that resonates for you?...
Lesson 4d): Gay Cops
Before joining this conversation, please watch the documentary, Gay Cops: Pride behind the badge here. What did you most appreciate about this story? Where, if at all, do you see the influence of narrative therapy assumptions and/or practices in this film?...