others have entertainment indus
try award statues on their man
lo w
tels... yet many have found the
acknowledgment of their power,
gifts and talents very troubling.”
Wallman spent three years
developing the program, and it is
indeed pleasant and easy to use.
After mousing through the sam
ther sources of help are avail
able on the Internet. One of
ple, you might decide to plunk
those is the Institute for Per
down your digital ca.' nd try
sonal Growth.
the deluxe model.
i
Pt» c>
Margaret Nichols founded it
From a perusal of that, it
in 1983 specifically to provide
looks like you get your money’s
psychotherapy for gay people by
worth— and then some. Each
gay people. The institute quickly attracted tal
week you download a long chapter of materi
al to read before you do the interactive por
ented therapists and became the largest agency
of its kind in New Jersey.
tion. Chapter 1 is 41 pages! (Or you can buy
a printed version of the workbook online.)
Realizing this kind of specialized therapy is
According to the introduction, these are
often unavailable in the hinterlands, the thera
some benefits you can expect to gain from
pists started offering “e-therapy” at
using the program:
www.ipgcounseling.com. They even give an
e-ffeebie: E-mail them a question, and they’ll
• Know and embrace your special, natural gifts.
send you one response free.
• G et to know what goes on inside your
head that limits you from the free and
They have an excellent site with a helpful
healthy expression o f these gifts.
section called “What’s so different about ‘gay’
• Recognize what happens outside yourself
therapy ?' It might he' ^u decide whether it’s
that se*-« off this internal, limiting process.
important for you to h.
0 .
tLJuiaii che:
• Learn how to rescript or replace this
apist. They also list numerous links, including
www.find-a-therapist.com, which can set you up
reaction.
with an online or telephone shrink or even find
• Feel successful in the expression of your
gifts and proud simply to use what nature gave
someone for old-fashioned face-to-face dishing.
The institute offers a large section on men
you— realizing the use of your innate beauty,
brains and talent is what will make you happy
tal health news of interest to the gay communi
ty, including one that caught my eye about
and fulfilled.
Sadly, it appears the workbook was written
research indicating children who are abused
early in life develop differences in their brains!
for a mainstream (read het) audience, not for
gay people, as implied. The first example is
about a beautiful, brilliant, successful woman
epression affects many gay men and les
with too many male suitors. Yeah, that’s a
bians as they deal with issues such as com
problem we all can relate to! Still, if you can
ing out, sexual confusion and family accep
move past examples like that, there appears to
tance. Often they’re left feeling alone, with no
one to talk to. Some are wary of discussing inti he much of value in this program.
mate issues with a stranger, so online therapy at
f you prefer your help to come with a face
least can be a good starting point.
attached, Debora Landforce, M.S., is a
Another even more technically extreme
counselor, teacher and consultant in
concept is offered at www.yourtherapist.com/
Eugene.
As a lesbian therapist, part of her
gay. You can get a free taste of the services by
work for many years has been to support the
interacting with a computer program that will
sexual minorities com
quiz you about your men
munity through the
tal health or lack thereof.
stresses of the holidays.
It was designed to offer
In fact, she’s created a
a lower-cost alternative to
special program called
traditional therapy. The
“Surviving the Holidays,”
national average for a 50-
which she presents
minute therapy session is
throughout the state. Last
more than $100.
month she served up the
Unlike typical Inter
info to the Parents, Fami
net therapy, where you
lies and Friends of Les
normally wait days for a
bians
and Gays chapter in
response, this self-help
Grants Pass.
program gives immediate
If you’d like to sched
feedback 24/7. At $39.95
ule an appointment to
for the complete 10-week
talk about holiday
program, it’s certainly
issues— or anything
affordable.
else— she can be reached
Although this is not a
at 541-302-9002. Watch for her program in the
substitute for one-on-one therapy, it is a safe
Portland area next year.
introduction to concepts o f self-evaluation.
Landforce's presentation includes 20 tips for
The free trial version asks users to answer
surviving the holidays. At the top of the list is
questions and choose traits from various lists,
the 48-Hour Rule regarding traveling or inviting
then returns them in different contexts. For
guests into your home. Unless you are receiving
example, one exercise allows people to read
full acknowledgment and inclusion from the
themselves described in a positive way they
people you are with, stay no more than 48 con
never might have experienced before.
tinuous hours with them. Emotional health
According to founding therapist Lee Wall-
deteriorates
significantly after this time.
man, “It’s based on a positive approach that
After two days, plan a break, a side trip, any
focuses on your strengths— your natural gifts—
thing
to break the contact. Honor your feelings
rather than just bemoaning the past.”
and needs— don’t let the airline schedule deter
In fact, he feels many people are suffering
mine how long your visit should be! JH
from societal pressure to conform and have
repressed their best selves. “In my professional
O R IA N A G R E EN is a Portland umter who hehetes we
practice, I see some of the most successful peo
all could use some therapy —electronic or otherwise
ple in Hollywood. Some are household names,
You just might decide you
never were diagnosed correctly in
the first place. And because of
requests from her clients,
Sorensen is hard at work on a
complementary workbook deal
ing with low self-esteem.
Give the
G ift o f Travel
Self-Esteem
Lloyd Travel Gift Certificates
make the perfect gift
for the special traveler
on your holiday list.
O
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ip .-* .« * » * .; * *
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Susan Detroy
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dets@ efn.org
Q CAPITOL
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The B eauty o f All-W heel D riv i
2002 FORESTER L
Depression affects
many gay men
and lesbians as they
deal with issues such
as coming out,
sexual confusion and
family acceptance.
Often they're left
feeling alone, with
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