The Cultural Context in Treating a Lesbian Couple: An Israeli Experience

Abstract

This article presents a case study of lesbian couple in treatment with a heterosexual therapist. As the couple was Israeli and the treatment carried out in Israel, cultural aspects of the social context are highlighted to demonstrate the way a feminist approach to systemic therapy needs to pay attention to the cultural forces. The case focuses on how the lack of social recognition and legitimacy by Israeli society towards lesbians impacts directly on couple interaction. Themes of couple boundaries, power imbalances and differentiation are demonstrated as related both to social forces and the individual couple's dynamics. Therapist interventions highlight the use of systemic thinking with a feminist perspective, and underline the way that attention to culture can enhance therapeutic impact.