Engendering self through monologue and performance: Helping your clients explore identity and sexuality

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the combined use of writing and performance as a means of exploring and validating gender identity and sexual orientation. The chapter is written from my perspective as a licensed social worker, whose training in the use of these modalities derives from conferences, workshops, and extensive reading. My experience suggests that social workers can integrate these modalities into their practices even in the absence of a formal degree in expressive therapies, as long as they have basic training and can secure qualified supervision.