The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction: A Comprehensive Counseling Resource

By Janelle Hallman

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." From the Author Why did you decide to write The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction? Janelle Hallman: Because I found myself deeply involved in the lives of many Christian friends who had same-sex attraction, during the late eighties and early nineties I devoured just about every book out there on homosexuality and gender. However, 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. We (my friends and I) wanted to gain a deeper psychological and theological understanding related to people's diverse experience of sexual attractions and sexual and gender identities. I knew that when I started my counseling practice in the mid-nineties, which was primarily focused on women with same-sex attraction, I would basically have to "learn as I went," or in other words, invite my clients to teach me. 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. 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 in 2004, I began the process by interviewing over fifty sexual minority women, 10 or so mothers of lesbian daughters, and several somewhat seasoned professionals who also regularly worked with faith-based sexual minority individuals. 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 Christian women with same-sex attraction, but also because these women struggle with trust. Many have been wounded and retraumatized by insensitive or ill-informed 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 helpers and caretakers will begin to be eliminated due to this publication.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 083083429X
• ISBN13: 9780830834297
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: IVP
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction: A Comprehensive Counselling Resource

A great resource for self evaluation, understanding and insight into a complex topic. Also a great tool for those with hearts to love fearlessly andThe Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction: A Comprehensive Counseling Resource bring healing to those female hearts who are wanting to become who they where created to be. True healing can only come when we get the knowledge and revelation needed to see those parts of ourselves that we are blind to in the light of true and healing love. This book is such a mirror where years of love and observation is shared in order to bring insight and wholeness. Thanks Janelle Hallman

Warm, insightful and wholeheartedly recommended!

Janelle Hallman's book is by far and away the most in depth of several excellent books available which deal with female same sex attraction (SSA) from a biblical worldview. "The Heart of Female Same Sex Attraction" is absolutely grounded in biblical truth and is without a hint of condemnation from Janelle Hallman towards her precious clients and readers who experience SSA. Though her targeted audience is those involved in counseling women with SSA, most of the book is just as helpful to those with SSA. She comprehensively surveys every aspect of SSA with a warmth that makes her same-sex attracted readers feel known and loved by her. The first third of the book helps one understand the many factors that contribute to the emergence of SSA in a women's life. The remainder discusses the stages Janelle Hallman uses in therapy with her same-sex attracted clients. These stages mirror a female's natural stages of growth and development from baby to mature adult. One chapter here is so technical that it's probably only useful to a professional, but the rest is packed with practical steps which a woman experiencing SSA can implement to grow in her womanhood. Central to Hallman's approach is the development of a warm, authentic and engaged therapeutic relationship. For this reason, a woman experiencing SSA wishing to make the progress described in this book will need to find a therapist who will embody Hallman's approach with her. I am taking this journey myself, and reading Janelle Hallman's book has been profoundly helpful as I do so.

Wow!

I never expected a book written to counselors of women with SSA to be so compelling to a woman who doesn't have this struggle and isn't a counselor. I have been happily married for 40 years and read this book because of my acquaintance with the author. I found myself very moved by the compassion, honesty, and wisdom of Miss Hallman's approach to broken people. One senses a great respect from the author towards her clients and there is no "talking down" to them. All of us are broken in some way and ANYONE who reads this book will be moved by the desire to look inside and find that which makes us broken and then to see that healing and change are possible. I'm asking my husband to read this book as I feel it reaches beyond gender to the heart of us all.

Excellent book on female same sex attraction

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with the subject of same sex attraction and loving those who are are gay. It is written with great compassion, knowledge, love and understanding. The spirit of the book is so well balanced, yet professional in respects to being a great resource for counselors. I would hope readers, with varying perspectives on this subject, would read it with an open mind and heart. I commend the author.

Beautifully compiled, researched, & insightfully written book!

I just received my copy of this beautifully written account of a therapist who speaks candidly about the women whom she counsels with same sex attraction as a part of their lives. All I can say is "WOW"! I am so pleased with her knowledge of this issue and that she speaks from her heart and experience. This is an extremely valuable literary work for anyone dealing with female same sex attraction in their own life or in the lives of people who they come in contact with. You will be very enlightened and given great wisdom from reading this book. It covers the many aspects of female SSA with love and a therapeutic perspective.