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Michael C. LaSala Ph.D., LCSW

About

Michael C. LaSala, Ph.D., is a professor at the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Dr. LaSala has practiced psychotherapy as a clinical social worker for over 30 years, and he continues to treat lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families at the Institute for Personal Growth in Highland Park, NJ. His research interests are the couple and family relationships of lesbians and gay men and his current work examines how families adjust to the news that a child is gay, and the role of parental influence on HIV prevention for young gay men.

Dr. LaSala's new book entitled: Coming Out, Coming Home: Helping Families Adjust to a Gay or Lesbian Child (Columbia University Press) describes the findings and practice implications of a National Institute of Mental Health-funded interview study of 65 lesbian and gay youth and their families. Other examples of Dr. LaSala's work can be found in the journals Social Work, Family Process, the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Families in Society and the Journal of Lesbian and Gay Social Services. Dr. LaSala has shared his findings at numerous national and international conferences and meetings and has been a keynote speaker for family therapy conferences in the United States, Sweden, Estonia, and Italy. He is also frequently invited to serve as guest speaker and consultant to agencies and community groups that address the problems of youth and their families.

Dr. LaSala is an openly gay man who lives in central New Jersey with his husband and partner of 32 years.

Books by Michael C. LaSala Ph.D., LCSW
Recent Posts
LGBT and Heading Home for the Holidays?
Are you lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and heading home for the holidays? Despite the Norman Rockwell images that inundate us this time of year, this can be a stressful time for LGBT people and those who love them. Follow my ABC's for LGBT family gatherings to try to help you get through the emotional minefields of the holiday season.
Gay and Can't Find a Partner?

How gay men can identify and overcome the self-defeating and often hidden hurdles that sabotage their efforts to find a long-term partner.

How gay men can identify and overcome the self-defeating and often hidden hurdles that sabotage their efforts to find a long-term partner.

Condomless Sex and Gay Men

It is somewhat difficult to get a read on how widespread or successful the prophylactic use of HIV treatment medications is, but the movement of HIV prevention in this direction as well as the hostile reaction by some, is revealing in what is says about gay men and our general attitudes about sexuality.

It is somewhat difficult to get a read on how widespread or successful the prophylactic use of HIV treatment medications is, but the movement of HIV prevention in this direction as well as the hostile reaction by some, is revealing in what is says about gay men and our general attitudes about sexuality.

Michael Sam Coming Out

When Michael Sam, the promising NFL draft hopeful, came out, there was a heartwarming chorus of cheering that followed. However, among these jubilant voices were some that openly wondered: “Why did he have to do that? Who cares what his sexual orientation is?” Well, his coming out is important—very important, and here’s why.

When Michael Sam, the promising NFL draft hopeful, came out, there was a heartwarming chorus of cheering that followed. However, among these jubilant voices were some that openly wondered: “Why did he have to do that? Who cares what his sexual orientation is?” Well, his coming out is important—very important, and here’s why.

Are Homophobes Really Gay?

Is a homophobic individual like Putin along with his supporters, possibly harboring same-sex attractions? Is expressed hatred or revulsion toward gay people a situation about which Shakespeare would say: “Methinks he doth protest too much”?

Is a homophobic individual like Putin along with his supporters, possibly harboring same-sex attractions? Is expressed hatred or revulsion toward gay people a situation about which Shakespeare would say: “Methinks he doth protest too much”?

Sex, Romance, and Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

Last week a story emerged in various media outlets about an 18 year-old woman, Kaitlyn Hunt, who was being prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a basketball teammate who was only 14. This case raises concerns about the way we as a society think about sex and sexual expression for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths.

Last week a story emerged in various media outlets about an 18 year-old woman, Kaitlyn Hunt, who was being prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a basketball teammate who was only 14. This case raises concerns about the way we as a society think about sex and sexual expression for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths.

Republicans Dead Wrong On Reparative and Conversion Therapy

Practitioners of conversion therapies claim that a gay sexual orientation is unhealthy and unnatural and therefore amenable to cure. Others argue that, whether or not homosexuality is an illness, banning such therapy interferes with self-determination—that people have the right to try to change their sexual orientation. However, there are several flaws in these arguments.

Practitioners of conversion therapies claim that a gay sexual orientation is unhealthy and unnatural and therefore amenable to cure. Others argue that, whether or not homosexuality is an illness, banning such therapy interferes with self-determination—that people have the right to try to change their sexual orientation. However, there are several flaws in these arguments.