THE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF MALE HOMOSEXUALITY

In recent years very few psychodynamic contributions to the aetiology or treatment of male homosexual behavior have been made. This paper based on material from patients, and noting the contributions of others, indicates that such patients can be understood and treated successfully. A possible aetiological factor that has not been mentioned before in the literature, the abortion of a pregnancy conceived by the male patient that may have led to the patient ''coming out'' or declaring his homosexuality, is discussed. Three main conclusions are reached First, that human sexuality is not rigidly compartmentalized into either hetero- or homosexuality but varies on a continuous spectrum, and is affected in any individual by psychodynamic influences. Second, that before ''coming out,'' young people should have the opportunity to explore their sexual identity with a psychodynamically oriented psychotherapist. Third, that some patients whose fantasies and behavior have been homosexual at some time, can become comfortably and fulfillingly heterosexual with psychotherapeutic treatment.