Light Up The Couch Queer Couples Therapy: Tools for Affirming Clinical Work, Ep. 243
Jun 4, 2025
Laurel Roberts-Meese, LMFT, an expert in working with queer couples and mentoring therapists, shares powerful insights on creating affirming spaces in therapy. She delves into the significance of using inclusive language and understanding unique relationship dynamics. The conversation explores how queer couples navigate identity, intimacy, and conflict, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency in therapeutic practices. Additionally, Laurel highlights the role of community support and ongoing education in fostering authentic connections and ethical therapeutic approaches.
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Content Knowledge Over New Models
- Laurel emphasizes that content knowledge, not a new modality, is the key gap for clinicians working with queer couples.
- She urges therapists to learn specific cultural and practical details to better serve LGBT clients.
Make Intake Language Inclusive
- Ask pronouns and use partner/spouse instead of gendered terms during intake to signal safety.
- Small inclusive language choices take seconds but make clients feel safe and seen.
Queer Couples' Conflict Strengths
- Queer couples share common relationship struggles but show strengths like more egalitarian roles and humor in conflict.
- Research suggests some LGBT couples handle conflict with less power struggle and more affectionate repair.
