Mixed Orientation Marriage: Assessment and Interventions

Barbara Hernandez, PhD and Naomi Schwenke, PhD Student, Family Studies

This presentation will outline assessment areas for individuals, couples, and

families when providing therapy services with mixed-orientation couples in

which one partner is straight and the other is gay or lesbian. Interviews with former

spouses and their children will illustrate needs and issues that require therapeutic

intervention. Implications for research, education, and practice will be

given.

Objectives:

1. Provide an assessment and treatment model for therapy with mixed-orientation couples
2. Identify issues for inquiry of special interest in working with this population
3. Specify methods for evaluation of therapists in preparation for working with this population

Bio:  Barbara Couden Hernandez, PhD, LMFT, RN is an Associate Professor, Coordinator, Families, Systems, & Health and Director of Doctoral Clinical Training at Loma Linda University. Naomi Shwenke is a PhD Student at Loma Linda University, Family Studies Dept.