The Role of Psychotherapy in Caucasian Lesbians' Lives

Explores the disproportionately high usage of psychotherapy services among lesbians, using a qualitative interview methodology. Forty midwestern middle-class Caucasian lesbians, 23 with therapy experience and 17 with no therapy experience, were interviewed about the role of therapy within lesbian lives and communities. Themes generated by the participants supported previous theoretical explanations of the high usage of therapy among lesbians. Themes suggested by participants include the role of societal oppression in complicating normal developmental tasks and daily living for lesbians, and the willingness of lesbians to be introspective and to value personal growth. Excerpts from interviews are used to illustrate the nineteen identified themes. Implications for practice are addressed.