Jeff Lutes, M.S., LPC
Psychotherapist & Relationship Consultant
Austin Couples Counselor Jeff Lutes is a psychotherapist, relationship consultant, educator, public speaker, and social justice advocate who others often describe as calm, warm, knowledgeable, funny, and genuine. In a style that is both informative and compassionate, Jeff has shown hundreds of LGBTQ people and same-sex couples how to improve communication, intimacy, and meaningful lifelong connection. His clinical background, first-hand experience, humor, and authenticity make him an excellent public speaker. He is the creator and principal consultant of ContemporaryCouples.com - the nation's only online service dedicated to strengthening same-sex relationships through live and interactive web seminars (webinars). Jeff has maintained a private practice counseling individuals and couples in Austin, Texas since 1988 and has written numerous newspaper articles on the issues pertinent to same-sex couples and parenting. He has trained with some of the nation’s top relationship experts, including Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Harville Hendrix, and Dr. Pat Love. He has supervised over one hundred counselors and directed psychological services for St. David’s Pavilion, the San Marcos Treatment Center, and Waterloo Counseling Center during his career. He is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), Counselors for Social Justice, the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC), the Council on Contemporary Families (CCF), and the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR). From January 2006 through November 2009, Jeff served as the Executive Director of Soulforce - the national social justice organization committed to ending the religion-based oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. He served on the board of directors from 2003 through 2009. During his tenure at Soulforce he organized large direct actions outside James Dobson’s Focus on the Family headquarters as seen in the award winning film For The Bible Tells Me So as well as the documentary, Sole Journey. Using the principles of nonviolence, Jeff created dialogue with major religious leaders such as Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, John Hagee, Bill Hybels, and Bishop T.D. Jakes in his ongoing effort to increase understanding about sexual orientation and gender identity among people of faith. He helped launch the Soulforce young adult program and the first three Equality Rides, and organized two national conferences to educate the public about the harm caused by so-called “ex-gay” ministries and “reparative” therapies. He is the author of the booklet ''What the Science Says- and Doesn’t Say - About Homosexuality: Research-based answers to ten of the most commonly asked questions about lesbian women, gay men, and their families.'' Since 2007 Jeff has served on the Military Chaplaincy Forum of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) to help repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” He also serves on the board of the Metropolitan Community Church of Austin. In the 90’s, Jeff served on the board of Out Youth Austin – an organization that provides support to LGBTQ youth. Jeff and his partner, Gary Stein, met in 1997 and are the proud fathers of three children they adopted as a couple. Gary and two of the children are deaf. American Sign Language is the primary mode of communication in their home.
Austin Couples Counselor - Gay and Lesbian Therapist Austin |