The Heart Of Female Samesex Attraction A Comprehensive Counseling Resource Janelle Hallman by Janelle Hallman 9780830834297, 083083429X instant download after payment.

The fruit of years of training, research and counseling experience, Janelle Hallman has drawn together a comprehensive resource for those who are interested in understanding and counseling women in conflict with same sex attraction. In this ground-breaking work, Hallman sets forth the unique dimensions of struggle that women experience through the presentation of research, interviews and clinical experience. This is an indispensable guide for understanding and a manual for counseling adult women seeking to "mature in giving and receiving love in all of [their] relationships, and no longer be restricted by destructive relational patterns."

"Janelle Hallman is uniquely qualified to write this book; she is gifted with empathy and high attunement to her same-sex attracted clients. Our profession has long been silent about how to proceed with clients who do not accept lesbianism as who they really are. This new work is therefore must-reading for therapists who truly respect client autonomy and diversity." (Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., director, Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic )

"Profound and practical. The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction is an essential tool for any Christian therapist who wants to serve women with same-sex attraction truthfully. The book bears the mark of one who has entered into the heart of the matter through years of thoughtful, loving service. Janelle has gentle authority to guide us as we help women to exercise the dignity of their choice." (Andy Comiskey )

"Much has been written about male homosexuality, very little about female homosexuality. Janelle Hallman has been a pioneer in this underexplored field. Her wisdom and keen insight flow from an obvious and deep love for the women she has had the honor of serving over many years. The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction will help all who read it to understand and love the precious women who experience same-sex attraction. I highly recommend it." (Christopher West, MTS, LHD Fellow, Theology of the Body Institute )

"It is rare to find such a valuable resource as Janelle's The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction. Prayerfully written and yet professionally thorough, Janelle demonstrates a special ability to address these complex matters in an accessible manner. Powerful narratives are deftly woven through comprehensive research and years of practical experience for maximum connection and impact. Therapists, pastoral counselors, mentors, mothers, and, most significantly, women wrestling with sexual identity and emotionally dependent patterns will find a gold mine in this book. It sets a new standard in this area of therapy and ministry." (Wendy Gritter, national executive director, New Direction Ministries )

"I love books which combine the insights of professional training with the hard-earned lessons of personal experience. You are holding such a book. Over the years, Janelle Hallman has earned widespread respect among her colleagues for her effective ministry to women seeking Christ's freedom in the midst of their lesbian struggles. This book will be a helpful resource for all who seek deeper effectiveness in this area of ministry." (Bob Davies, Director Emeritus, Exodus International )

"What an incredibly valuable resource for professionals and nonprofessionals--and so engaging! Both the woman who is in conflict or confusion about her sexuality and the professional working with her will find an accepting spirit that dismantles shame and will discover hope that empowers healing. Janelle writes with comprehensive understanding, realistic expectations, professional competence, respectful compassion and unconditional love--all based on biblical principles. The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction is certain to help women move from conflictual entrapment to true freedom." (Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner, sex therapists, educators, and authors of The Gift of Sex and The Way to Love Your Wife )

Why did you decide to write The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction?

Janelle Hallman: I had been involved with Exodus ministries for several years prior to starting seminary to work on my master's in counseling. In the late eighties and early nineties I had devoured just about every book out there on homosexuality or God's perspective on gender. Almost everything I could find was for and about men. I could see that much of the material didn't apply to women. Neither was there a clinical book that was understandable for the average counselor who hadn't been trained in psychoanalytic literature. I knew that when I started my counseling practice, I would basically have to "wing it" or learn as I went. There simply was no published framework from which to practice. Even back then I thought that it might be a possibility that I would be the one to write a book. I knew I loved research and certainly teaching and was therefore able to condense complicated material and organize it in a way that people could understand. But I set this thought aside so that I could focus on simply learning how to counsel women with same-sex attraction. However, about five years into my practice, I began to get involved with NARTH. I was anxious to learn from the experts about female homosexuality. Much to my chagrin, the conference and printed material sponsored by NARTH were, again, primarily about men and for men. I suspected then that I was going to have to seriously consider at least organizing an effort to publish material for and about the women.

After contacting all of the other female therapists and a few male therapists specializing in this field, it was determined that no one else wanted to undertake the ultimate task of developing a manuscript, but many said they would support my efforts. So six years ago, I began the process by interviewing over fifty women and their mothers and all of these somewhat seasoned professionals. I then started mapping out an outline for the book.

The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction is especially important not only because nothing else exists for clinicians or for pastoral counselors in helping women with SSA, but also because these women are not the easiest clients with whom to work. Many have therefore been wounded and retraumatized by their insensitive counselors and pastors. I have a great passion to protect these women by educating their helpers. Hopefully, the misunderstandings and presumptions on the part of the therapists will begin to be eliminated due to this publication.