Suzanne is often asked whether couples counseling, and the Imago method in particular, are
effective methods with gay and lesbian couples.  The answers are yes, and yes.

    Couples counseling can achieve relationship breakthroughs regardless of race, religious
background, financial/social standing, education or sexual orientation.  In fact, the usual top
relational problems for couples (money, sex, family ties, loss of closeness) appear just as often in
same sex couples as heterosexual couples.

    But gay and lesbian couples may face additional problems that other couples do not:

    •  Dealing with social and cultural resistance to same sex couples
    •  Gay and lesbian marriage prohibitions
    •  Pressures of coming out as a couple
    •  Lack of family support as a couple
    •  Extra pressures when determining where children may fit in with same sex parents
    •  Dealing with partners with HIV/AIDS (although heterosexual couples are catching up here)

    Part of the exercises that all couples perform when following the Imago method of counseling
is the examination of their respective childhoods.  Exploring the Imago concept of childhood
wounding can be especially effective for gay clients who may have experienced being “different”
from everyone else around them when they were growing up.

    Imago Relationship therapy offers a safe place to explore good reasons for gay and lesbian
couples to stay together, without the interference of homophobia or other societal judgments.  In
fact, studies have shown that straight couples may have something to learn from same sex couples
in the way they handle their conflicts.  

    Suzanne Corcoran is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Rockville, Maryland and
has over 20 years of experience in helping people with marriage issues, including gay and lesbian
couples.  Please call her at 301-590-0204 to talk about your current situation and to find out how
Suzanne may be able to help you.
Gay and Lesbian Couples Counseling
Suzanne Corcoran, LCSW-C
Marriage Counseling and Counseling for Individuals in Maryland
Serving the Maryland communities of Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver
Spring, Potomac and all of Montgomery County