African american lesbians and other culturally diverse people in psychodynamic psychotherapies

ABSTRACT The treatment of African American lesbians and other culturally diverse people in psychodynamic psychotherapies has been challenged as inappropriate. The Eurocentric, sexist, and heterocentric origins of these therapies have been viewed as intrinsically insensitive to the unique needs of diverse group members. Moreover, they have been viewed as pathologizing of nondominant cultural values and behaviors, while legitimizing the social pathologies of dominant groups. This discussion, however, argues that there is great diversity in the theories and practice of psychodynamic therapies, that they have undergone signifi-Beverly cant revisions since their origins in classical theory, and that there are minority and majority opinions within the culture of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory and practice. I also propose that the prevalence of dominant cultural identities among psychodynamic theoreticians and therapists is a significant factor in the practice of therapy and the development of theoretical paradigms. The usefulness of innovative psycho-dynamic paradigms in addressing some of the unique challenges associated with socially disadvantaged group membership is also explored.