Dr Chris Pepping is a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at La Trobe University.

Outlines modifications that may be necessary for relationship education to be appropriate for LGBT couples, and provides suggestions for therapists.
This article is part of a series on relationship education and counselling.
Relationship education aims to teach couples knowledge and skills to enhance their relationships. Efforts to enhance the appropriateness of relationship education for a diverse range of couples has led to modifications of existing programs for specific populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples. The predictors of relationship satisfaction are similar in heterosexual and LGBT couples; therefore much of the relationship education content is relevant to LGBT couples, such as enhancing communication, managing conflict, and promoting intimacy.
Although little research has examined relationship education for LGBT couples, here we outline modifications that may be necessary for relationship education to be appropriate for LGBT couples, and provide suggestions for therapists wishing to enhance their competence working with such couples.
It is beneficial for heterosexual therapists to educate themselves about LGBT relationships, culture, and life to prevent the couple needing to educate the therapist. Therapists might, for example, read LGBT magazines, watch LGBT documentaries and movies, and talk to LGBT people about their experiences.
Pepping, C. A. & Halford, W. K. (2014). Relationship education and therapy for same-sex couples. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 35(4), 431-444, doi: 10.1002/anzf.1075.
Whitton, S. W., & Buzzella, B. A. (2012). Using relationship education programs with same-sex couples: a preliminary evaluation of program utility and needed modifications. Marriage & Family Review, 48(7), 667-688, doi: 10.1080/01494929.2012.700908
The feature image is by Josep Ma. Rosell, CC BY 2.0.
Dr Chris Pepping is a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at La Trobe University.
W. Kim Halford is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Queensland and a registered clinical psychologist.
A review and synthesis of the Australian and international literature on same-sex parented families.
This webinar summarised research on the efficacy of couple therapy and relationship education, and discussed the implications for practice.
A review of the research on the effectiveness of relationship education and counselling
In the first article in our Strong couple relationships series, Cathy Dixon describes the benefits of marriage and relationship education programs.
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