Introduction
Gary and Jorge are gay partners engaging in an open relationship where bodily intimacies are allowed outside but not bond or commitment. Gary has visited a psychiatrist in a move that seems to find a solution to their recent challenges regarding their affair. He cites that Jorge overdemands for bondage sometimes when he is not in the mood. Additionally, he says that Jorge is jealous and does not want to give him time to have fun with other male friends. At one point, Gary highlights drug usage with other people from his environment, where he says the drugs are taken to increase fisting and group orgies. Gary and Jorge had been involved in leather and kink when they were young adults and have estranged their families since they grew up in Christian-centric backgrounds.
Conceptualization of the Case: Problematic Dynamics and Possible Diagnosis
The problem is that Gary and Jorge are in an open relationship which has the possibility of betrayal, and that is diagnosed when Gary says that Jorge frequently limits him from association with other people due to jealousy. An individual’s desire is not refuted when falling in love. According to Gabb (2019) concerning people in LGBTQ partnerships, “Intimate interactions remain simultaneously situated in the private sphere of relationships and the public world of heteronormative coupledom” (Damm et al., 2017, p. 33). The moment one gets intimate with another party, it gradually lowers attachment from the other partner.
Another evident problem is the upbringing they had while young. Being Catholics means that they believe in Christianity which condemns LGBTQ. Therefore, the gradual transition from what they believed while young to what they know now puts their relationship in dire straits (Howard, 2020). Racial affiliation may be a driving tool that makes the aspect wide in bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadism (BDSM). From the case, I have noted that Gary is white while Jorge is Hispanic; the two have different views of religion and social ties outside biblical teachings. That would be why the partners have divergent opinions about their kink bondage.
There is an issue with identity for LGBTQ involvement for the two partners. I have learned that Garry attends a few kinks, and both do not indulge in many connections regarding their identity. From my understanding, the two need to be publicly identified with the leather community since it will give them esteem to engage in diverse activities in their relationship (Schuerwegen et al., 2020). The small circle of gay friends has affected how Gary opens their mind to share what they undertake with the group regarding drugs. Ingestion of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) to boost their group sex parties has not been revealed to Jorge, and this as well brings the matter to a contentious state because both need to be aware.
Understanding of Intersectionality
Intersectionality is an essential element of modern society because it is the basis for conceptualizing a person or group of people subject to discrimination. This should consider the overlapping experiences of people and all the difficulties and prejudices they face. People may be disadvantaged and face oppression due to various factors such as their wealth, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. At the same time, identity markers can intersect, which creates a combination when a person is subjected to greater oppression and stereotyping. Understanding the basics of intersectionality provides people with all identity markers with full participation in public and public life. This means that society will be more mentally balanced, and there will be no problems requiring professional psychological intervention. In addition, intersectionality is vital for successful social interaction and work.
Plans with Gary for the Next Sessions
As Gary continues to come to my clinic for mental well-being, I plan to help him expand his identity as a gay, speak about his feelings and activities in leather life and set new standards for engagement with Jorge instead of separating. The plans focus on preventing risks by implementing defensiveness and contempt while teaching him how to deal with criticism and stonewalling (Sue et al., 2019). I will train Gary to respond to his partner’s sexual and social demands. In her New York Times article, Christina Caron reveals that same-sex couples engage in discourse, but their arguments are resolved more constructively without conflict. Gary should use humor to diffuse anger, and Jorge, who is younger, should strive to achieve equality in their relationship (Caron, 2020). That means there will be fewer presumptions as the two will have boundaries protecting their love. Gary must learn to be bold and neutrally express his thoughts, which they should modify themselves to be (Sue et al., 2019). Clearly, if they have feelings for each other, they must draw a specific line regarding group sex parties and cheating, which is evident from their open relationship.
Approach to Drug Use
Gary has used GSM ingestion, which makes him interested in group sex parties. That has made him lose the original value to Jorge. Therefore, Gary needs to stop indulging in drugs so that he may rekindle the initial sexual bondage with Jorge and not the other people. The use of drugs will negatively affect their social interactions and family relationships. However, Gary must tell Jorge about his usage of drugs so that Jorge can understand the roots of their problem (Toomey & Carlson, 2022). Both of them should work towards refraining from the drug as that guarantees them mutual connection every time.
Ethical Issues in this Case
In this case, one of the conflicting dilemmas may be the warning about drug use. This harmful action should be excluded from the patient’s life. However, if a person believes that this is part of his identity, then it is worth trying to help him differently by explaining that substance use spoils life. As a clinical psychologist, I must help my clients and defend their points of view. On the one hand, this is easy because I support the LGBTQ+ community, but on the other hand, the concept of free relationships is not clear to me. It is crucial to put in as much effort as possible because as I go deeper into the case, I can develop as a specialist who has dealt with different types of relationships (Sue et al., 2019). This can make it more challenging to understand the problem as I am used to the usual relationship format.
Strengths and Resiliencies
Various strengths and resiliencies can be used to solve this matter. The first strength is my understanding of the BDSM community, citing Hammack et al. (2018), that says that “Recognition of sexual and gender diversity in the 21st century challenges normative assumptions of intimacy that privilege heterosexual monogamy….” (p.572). That means whatever Gary and Jorge are undergoing is not new but rampant in modern society. In addition, according to Martinez (2020), this area of life is still the privilege of the white population, which may make Jorge feel out of place or uncomfortable. The resilience, in this case, is that I have experienced complex clinical interventions that involve other incompatible people. Hence, this one will not challenge me beyond the optimum. I need to apply evidence-based empirical analysis from Stockwell et al. (2010) that helps me assess the dimensions involved in gay, lesbian, and queer people. For example, I must utilize the concept of implicit association that suggests that sexual identity is critical when solving problems related to intimacy or bodily desires.
The internal resiliencies that can be useful is Gary’s discovery that he needs clinical intervention, which is contextual because he feels the need to have company from another person. That means it will be possible for him to follow what I guide him to do regarding their issues. The other resilience is that discovering oneself will help determine the end since the two have formed leather and kink ties which will influence the prescriptions (Stockwell et al., 2010). The entire session will lighten the diminishing relationship between Gary and Jorge.
Conclusion
Gary and Jorge’s relationship has had struggles because they seem incompatible despite having identified their sexuality. The problem is that they have allowed open relationships, which seems to bring their differences. As clinical intervention personnel, I will help the two be open to each other, whereby they communicate their perspectives without fear. The challenge, in this case, is the ethical dilemma since I do not support the gay community. However, I must deliver professional psychiatric intervention for the two because I understand the phenomenon.
References
Caron, C. (2020). Gay couples can teach straight people a thing or two about arguing. The New York Times. Web.
Damm, C., Dentato, M. P., & Busch, N. (2017). Unraveling intersecting identities: Understanding the lives of people who practice BDSM. Psychology & Sexuality, 9(1), 21–37. Web.
Gabb, J. (2019). The relationship works of sexual intimacy in long-term heterosexual and LGBTQ partnerships. Current Sociology, 70(1), 24–41. Web.
Hammack, P. L., Frost, D. M., & Hughes, S. D. (2018). Queer Intimacies: A new paradigm for the study of relationship diversity. The Journal of Sex Research, 56(5), 556–592. Web.
Howard, K. (2020). Gay relationship breakups can be problematic. Here’s how to avoid the risks. Psychreg. Web.
Martinez, K. (2020). The overwhelming whiteness of BDSM: A critical discourse analysis of racialization in BDSM. Sexualities, 24(5-6), 733–748. Web.
Schuerwegen, A., Huys, W., Coppens, V., De Neef, N., Henckens, J., Goethals, K., & Morrens, M. (2020). The Psychology of Kink: A cross-sectional survey study investigating the roles of sensation seeking and coping style in BDSM-related interests. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50(3), 1197–1206. Web.
Stockwell, F. M., Walker, D. J., & Eshleman, J. W. (2010). Measures of implicit and explicit attitudes toward mainstream and BDSM sexual terms using the IRAP and questionnaire with BDSM/fetish and student participants. The Psychological Record, 60(2), 307–324. Web.
Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2019). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Toomey, T. M., & Carlson, R. G. (2022). Leaning into student discomfort with LGBTQ issues in the Counsellor Education Classroom. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counselling, 16(1), 86–103. Web.