Many therapists have reported an increase in male clients who are entering therapy with confusion around their sexual identity. These include self-identified straight men who are having sex with other men, gay men married to women and struggling to come out, and men who have been sexually abused by male perpetrators who are disoriented around their sexual orientation. To support these men, therapist need to know how to explore potential underlying reasons for confusion about sexual identity, which can range from histories of sexual abuse to fluid, heteroflexible, or bisexual identities. In this workshop, you’ll gain the most up-to-date information on how to talk about sexual identity, as well as techniques for working with these male clients and their partners. You’ll discover how to:

• Distinguish between gay, straight, bi and fluid identities
• Ask the 4 essential questions to help male clients identify their sexual orientation, such as childhood experiences with males, erotic attractions using the “beach test” and early sexual trauma
• Understand the differences between erotic and sexual orientation where sexual orientation is to whom one is attracted and erotic orientation is what someone is attracted to
• Develop techniques for helping couples work through one partner’s sexual identity confusion and its effects on their relationship

Joe Kort, PhD, is a sex therapist and Imago therapist with a specialty in LGBTQ issues. His books include 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do to Improve Their Lives, LGBTQ Clients in Therapy, and Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi?