• News at Joe Kort & Associates
  
• Joe Kort on *Montel Williams* Show April 11, 2006
  
• Mixed Orientation Marriages
  
• Sex, Love and Intimacy Workshop for Gay Men in Big Sur, CA
  
• Spring 2006 Couples and Singles Workshops
  
• Presentation at Oakland University on sexually abused boys
  
• Joe's Book Updates: *NEW* Blurb from Brian McNaught

On Tuesday, April 11, 2006 Joe will appear as the expert psychotherapist on the Montel Show on Mixed Orientation Marriages when one spouse is gay and one spouse is straight. The show's focus is on what couples can do who decide to stay married and not divorce. Joe shares his expertise on how to help these couples decide what to do from a "relational" perspective. In other words, helping couples decide what is right for "them" and not what others think they should do.

The show was taped in December, 2005.

For more information go to The Montel Show during the week of April 10, 2006 when it will be aired. Montel is on the Fox Network. Check your local listings for the time it will air in your area.
__________________________________________________________________

THE NEW YORK TIMES:

On March 7, 2006, Joe was quoted in the New York Times on mixed orientation marriages by Katy Butler in the Health and Fitness section Many Couples Must Negotiate Terms of 'Brokeback' Marriages

The Detroit News reprinted the story on March 14, 2006.
_____________________________________________________________________

Joe has been on two radio shows in the past month on this topic.

1. WHYY Voices in the Family on March 20, 2006

About the Program

Voices in the Family now celebrating 20 years of thoughtful discussions dealing with the many aspects of personality, psychology, and inter-personal relationships. Dan Gottlieb Ph.D, host of Voices in the Family, is a family therapist in private practice. He is a nationally recognized lecturer in the field of mental health, and a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mixed Orientation Marriages
Listen via Real Audio | mp3

Most discussions around "Brokeback Mountain" revolve around the Hollywood portrayal of a love affair between two men. But that's only part of the story. The film also shows the heartbreak of the spouses who comes to find out that their partner is attracted to people of the same sex. Dan Gottlieb and his guests will discuss what has been called "mixed orientation" marriages.
_____________________________________________________________________

In March Joe joined a discussion on BBC Internet Radio on "Brokeback Marriages".

I highly recommend reading her book and if you are struggling with this issue go to The Straight Spouse Network for more information.
_____________________________________________________________________

I was asked by the producers whose names are below to put the word out for mixed orientation couples who might have an interest in telling their stories in a documentary being made about this topic.
Here is their information if you are interested you can give them a call:

We are doing a documentary on mixed orientation marriages and are looking for subjects to interview.

We are looking for gay men and their straight spouses in all stages of a relationship: still married, separated, divorced etc. to be represented on our show for an established cable network.

If you or someone you know wants to share their story AND is willing to be interviewed on camera please contact us ASAP.
This is not for a talk show.

There will be no crowd, no audience and no host- just respectful interviews. We aim to inform and educate not degrade or humiliate.

Our intent is to examine these situations in order to show all sides and to let others know that they are not alone. Are you one of the 2 million in America? We want to talk to you.

Please send an email to wonderdocs@yahoo.com

Jennifer Chandler
World of Wonder
323-603-6300 ext. 235

Danya Berman
Casting Director
World of Wonder
323-603-6300 ext. 253
____________________________________________________________________

The New "Mixed Marriage: Working with a couple when one partner is gay" by Joe Kort was originally published in the Psychotherapy Networker Magazine on this topic.
_____________________________________________________________________

In Joe's new book, "10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Find Real Love" chapter 8 is entitled, "The New Mixed Marriage: When Three's a Crowd" You can read about what is inside this book by clicking here

A workshop on sex, love and intimacy for Gay and Bisexual Men
April 9-16,2006
Esalen in Big Sur, California
esalen.org

This workshop is for partnered and/or single gay men. While male couples can attend it is not designed for the couple. Both partners can work together in exercises but the focus will be on them individually.

Come to UNCOVER and DISCOVER your Sexual Shadow!
_____________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

We live in a sexually illiterate society. There is little to no permission to examine openly our sexuality in terms of orientation, behavior and fantasies. Most people, gay and straight alike, do not know if their sexual fantasies and/or sexual acts are healthy versus unhealthy. While gay men are more inclined to act out their sexual desires and fantasies more openly than their heterosexual counterparts, there still lies confusion as to what is positive and self-affirming and what is not.

There is also confusion about what is sex, what is love and what is intimacy. This workshop will explore the definitions of each of these and how to integrate them all together for gay men. Much of our culture as gay men, as well as for our heterosexual counterparts, are confused about how to make this integration. There is also confusion about how to have healthy sex, love and intimacy without having to have all of them combined.

This workshop will help clarify all of this.

 How do you define sex?

 What is healthy versus unhealthy sex?

 Do you understand the secret logic of your sexual fantasies?

 What is your sexual shadow?

 Are you sexually addicted, compulsive or just have a large sexual appetite?

 Do you carry sexual shame?

 How do you feel about your body?

 Do you want to improve your sex life?

 Are you getting the love you want in your relationship?

 Are you keeping the love you find when you think you found Mr. Right?

 What is your definition of love?

 What is your definition of intimacy?

 What are the stages of love?

These are just some of the questions we will be examining at the upcoming workshop. The workshop will include guided imagery, experiential exercises, communication exercises and lectures.

We will explore sexual behavior and fantasies with understanding, compassion, and without judgment.

For more information about Reclaiming the Man in the Mirror and for cost, times and registration go to Registration

Getting The Love You Want Couples Workshop in Royal Oak, MI

Gay and Lesbian Workshop May 5-7, 2006

Royal Oak, Michigan in Joe Kort's Office
__________________________________________

I am presenting these workshops for couples based on the best-selling book, Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Dr. Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. which can be purchased in Joe's library

This workshop is worth 6 months worth of work and time in couple's therapy. While not a therapy weekend, it is very psycho-educational and therapeutic. You will learn several effective communication exercises which start you in the right direction to work through hard conversations and resolve conflicts with your partner

This is not group therapy of any kind.

Couples often worry that they will be asked to disclose personal information within their relationship. This is not true. The majority of the workshop is private for the couples in terms of what they are discussing. Often couples will come through the workshop and never say anything publicly about the inner workings of their relationship. There is no pressure or requirement for group sharing. The confidentiality and privacy of your relationship is assured unless you decide to disclose yourself at the workshop. This keeps the workshop safe and effective.

_____________________________________________________________________

Singles Class April 18-May 23, 2006 in Royal Oak, MI

SIX WEEK WORKSHOP FOR GAY, LESBIAN, AND STRAIGHT SINGLES

This 6 week workshop is appropriate for singles not currently in a relationship, who are tired of making the same mistakes over and over again and want to learn the secret to finding and keeping lasting love. This workshop is all about transforming the self. Often we are tempted to think the problem is "finding the right person." But this workshop is all about "becoming the right person."

This workshop is also an ideal follow-up workshop for those who have taken the couples workshop. Couples have gone through this workshop together after the couples workshop. It is a great opportunity to reflect on one's self within the relationship.

click here for more details about this workshop:

For more information about cost and times and/or to register for the couples and singles workshops go to Gay and Lesbian Workshop REGISTRATION

*Becoming the Men They Were Meant To Be: Helping Sexually Abused Males*

Approximately one in six boys is sexually abused before age 16. Often males
who have been sexually traumatized and/or abused behaviorally act out
homosexually--also known as homosexual imprinting. Some of these males are
gay and most are not. Males who have been sexually abuse are often confused
as to their sexual orientation because of the trauma. These men--both gay
and straight--re-enact the trauma through homosexual behavior as adults. The
new term for these men are MSM (Men having sex with men). This workshop
will explore how to intervene with this population.

THE GRADUATE COUNSELING STUDENT ASSOCIATION
PRESENTS THE 2006 ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE

Trauma & Recovery: Putting the Pieces back Together

Enjoy hearing keynote speaker Dr. William Steele
Founder of the national institute for trauma and loss in children

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH, 2006
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
OAKLAND CENTER, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY, ROCHESTER, MI

STUDENT: $40 NON-STUDENT: $75
LATE REGISTRATION: AFTER APRIL 13th ADD $10 (both STUDENT & NON-STUDENT)
REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES: keynote address, ALL BREAKOUT SESSIONS, continental breakfast, & LUNCH
If you are interested in volunteering before or on the day of the conference, please contact Jasmin MacAlpine at jmmacalp@oakland.edu

FOR more INFORMATION, OR TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM, VISIT
http://www2.oakland.edu/org/gcsa/ne.cfm
registration forms are also available in the practicum center, 250 Pawley hall

for further information, contact conference chair
Jasmin macalpine, jmmacalp@oakland.edu
or conference co-chairs
Christine Cherba, cacherba@oakland.edu
Lynn Kelemen, lkelemen@oakland.edu

SPECIAL NOTE: NCC/SBceu’S AVAILABLE

Once again, Joe Kort has emerged as our trusted guide in his wise new book 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do to Find Real Love. In it, he condenses years of research as a gay man, therapist, and personal growth workshop leader and provides trustworthy signposts to follow as we make our own journeys toward happiness and intimacy with ourselves and others. I found myself repeatedly saying “yes” to his observations and upon finishing the book, immediately wrote to two friends for whom I thought it was perfect. If you feel you’d like a little help in understanding what stops us from, and what would help us in experiencing emotional and sexual health as gay men, I recommend you give it a try.

Brian McNaught

Brian McNaught is called "the godfather of gay diversity training" by the New York Times. He was one of the original trainers on gay affirmative thinking from the 1970's in his writings and presentations.

Those of you who have attended my workshops will recognize his name as he is the author of the guided imagery I do at my Gay Affirmative Psychotherapy talks. You can read about and order his latest works by clicking here.
__________________________________________________________________

Click on the images of the books to purchase either title at Joe's library .

If you want to book a signing or workshops I do anywhere in your area please feel free to contact me at joekort@joekort.com or 248-399-7317.

Read an introduction to the "10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Find Real Love.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING From WW Norton Books by Joe Kort: "Gay Affirmative Therapy for the Straight Clinician: The Essential Guide" by Joe Kort, MSW, LMSW

This book will offer skills and information to straight therapist working with gay, bisexual and lesbian clients. It is not enough to be gay friendly. It is crucial that therapists be armed with the facts and information to do effective work with their gay, lesbian and bisexual clients.

It is based on my work with Gay and Lesbian clients, my own personal journey as a gay male and psychotherapist of 21 years, along with the information I teach at Wayne State University's School of Social Work on Lesbian and Gay Studies.