In this episode of the Queer Divorce Club, join us in a candid conversation with Dr. Joe Kort, a distinguished psychotherapist and the founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Kort specializes in working with individuals, particularly men, who grapple with the realization of their gay identity while navigating straight marriages. We delve into the challenges of coming out within a marriage, the complexities of remaining in a marriage as a queer individual, and the arduous journey of making it through divorce. Dr. Kort aptly describes the process as brutal, and together, we explore strategies to navigate some of the toughest moments during this transformative period. Join us for insights, resilience, and a discussion about the positive destination that can be reached through the challenges of divorce and coming out.

Dr. Joe Kort

Psychotherapist Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW, is the clinical director and founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is a board-certified clinical sexologist, author of four books, lecturer and facilitator of therapeutic workshops. Throughout his 36 years of private practice, he successfully has utilized varying therapy modalities to help hundreds of individuals and couples improve their lives and strengthen their relationships.

Dr. Kort specializes in marital problems and conflicts; mixed orientation marriages; male sexuality and sexual health concerns; “sex addiction,” out-of-control sexual behaviors; sexual identity issues; childhood sexual abuse; LGBTQIA Affirmative Therapy; and Imago Relationship Therapy.

He is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), a safe and effective treatment that can help patients who have suffered for years from anxiety, distressing memories, nightmares, insomnia, abuse or other traumatic events.

Dr. Kort obtained his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, with a dual major in psychology and social work. He earned master’s degrees in social work and psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a doctorate (PhD) in Clinical Sexology from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists.

Dr. Kort is the author of three books covering topics such as male sexual identity, relationships, and sexual fluidity. He also is the author of a book for clinicians working with the LGBTQIA population. He has written numerous published journal and magazine articles and is a regular contributor to the online blog for Psychology Today. Dr. Kort is in his third season of Smart Sex, Smart Love, a podcast series featuring a variety of topics – from sexual health issues to parenting conflicts, men’s health, sexuality as you grow old, marital problems, dating today, transgender concerns, kink, and much more (www.smartsexsmartlove.com).

Dr. Kort also conducts workshops and intensives for singles and couples.

His career focuses on advancing the social acceptance and professional treatment of issues surrounding sexual health as well as the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

You can find Dr. Kort online at joekort.com on TikTok @drjoekort on Instagram @drjoekort and on Facebook.