I'm Getting A Psychoanalyst & I Need Advice

[shadows]

My parents have been fairly understanding of the fact that I'm gay. No tears that I know of, and certainly no demands to go to anything like Love in Action. There was an article on NARTH & Ex-Gays in the LA Times and my mom was disgusted so I really don't have much to worry about.

 

Yet my mom let it be known this Sunday that she want s me to see a therapist/psychologist down in Los Angeles by the name of Ethan M. Grumbach to discuss my homosexuality. Her reason was: "Well, I don't know, you're just so young..." I don't particularly think I need to talk to a psychologist, but I have a feeling my mom is doing this because she needs to hear that I'm gay from somebody else. It doesn't bother me, and hey maybe I'll see a cute gay guy in the waiting room!

 

Now, the reason I'm posting this in the general forum and not on my blog is because I want to know if anyone is familiar with this Mr. Grumbach? He's gay, and is a psychoanalyst/licensed clinical social worker (slightly worrying, hopefully no discussion of absent father figures will occur... and overall he seems perfectly suitable for the task. Do any of the many poeple living in SoCal from Gayauthors know something else? Google gave up little information. Does anyone know of a psychologist in the L.A. area they'd reccomend over Mr. Grumbach?

 

Thanks.

 

//shadows

[Tom]

Sorry Shadows, I can't give ya any answers for those questions. I will say this tho...go with your first impressions of the guy and modify as you learn more. If you don't like him from the start he can't be of any help to you or your mom regardless of who he sleeps with.

[Adit]

All I could find is that he is the chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association: Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues.

 

Don't know if that helps but it seems to be that he is at least slightly reputable if the made him the chair.

[Masked Monkey]

I'd say go with the first impression, and you aren't young. You seem well in touch with your feelings, socially adjusted, and able to clearly speak your mind. Don't worry about what this doc might say.

 

:king: Snow Dog

[Gandalf]

I actually connected with a therapist who was really fun to have as I was coming out in one of my incarnations. Go with the flow. Give it a chance but trust your instincts. Guy sounds like a bit of a powerhouse but then it might be a fit.. Pax and good luck.. Steve

[JamesSavik]

I don't know the guy but I'm sure he isn't going to be problematic.

 

The vast majority of shrinks know that 18 isn't too young to know that you are gay. In fact, most people I know will tell you that they knew before 10.

 

You are just so young is one of the many things parents grasp at while they are in denial. Don't worry- it is NOT the worst by far. You could be in one of the X-gay concentration camps.

[Silven]

I have worked with a few counselers and theripists since my brother died. The best advice I can give you is to be open and honest. The first session is usually the worst because if you did not already do the paperwork, you will take up a lot of time to get it all completed. Be open minded, but make sure you can work with the person. You do not want to waste time and money on sessions that will go no where.

 

Silven