Can gay people be cured

Implementing the resolution on appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation: A guide for the perplexed. We argue that the testimonies that “ex-gays” or “strugglers” we spoke with represent a distinct genre of story, what Kenneth Plummer would call a “sexual story,” such as, for example, lesbian and gay coming out narratives.

The author believes more was accomplished when there was no direct expectation that change in sexual orientation be the specific goal. The author concludes that the pseudo-scientific claims of reparative therapy are suspect and warns of the risks and potential harm associated with these experimental therapies.

Forstein, M.

(2002). Healing homosexuals: a psychologist’s journey through the ex-gay movement and the pseudo-science of reparative therapy. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 5(3/4), 69-86.

Reparative therapy has become a generic term for any process that purports to facilitate a shift from homosexual orientation to heterosexual orientation.

Sexual orientation change efforts and the search for authenticity. MFTs are encouraged to recognize and accept, rather than ignore or deny the valid needs of clients who seek to modify their same-sex attraction.

Schneider, M. S., Brown, L., & Glassgold, J. (2002). Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 40(4), 289-301.

Predictors of the level of benefit derived from nearly 2,000 psychotherapy episodes reported by a nationwide, nonprobability sample of 600 lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression, corrected by generalized-estimating-equation (GEE) procedures for lack of independence in the data.

The Counseling Psychologist, 32(5), 651-690.

Perspectives were gathered of 50 Mormon individuals who had undergone counseling to change their sexual orientation. Recommendations are made with reference to the ethical principles of (a) professional competence and integrity and (b) responsibility to clients.

Yarhouse, M.

A., & Throckmorton, W. (2002). The results indicated that a majority failed to change sexual orientation, and many reported that they associated harm with conversion interventions. Results indicated that two types of religious orientations, intrinsic and quest, predicted a propensity to seek conversion therapy, although in different directions.

Of the participants 779 or 89.7% viewed themselves as “more homosexual than heterosexual,” “almost exclusively homosexual,” or “exclusively homosexual” in their orientation before receiving conversion therapy or making self-help efforts to change.

About 10% of Christian respondents and 20% of Muslims said they had undergone or been offered conversion therapy, compared to 6% of those with no religion.

In the end, a therapeutic framework will be highlighted that may be used (and researched) to help those distressed by their sexual orientation.

Bright, C. (2004).

With a knowledge base originally grounded in psychoanalytic theory, current applications of reparative therapy cross not only scientific and psychological, but also social, political, and religious boundaries. Each alternative is discussed with regard to its relevant ethical issues and clinical implications.

Lingiardi, V., Nardelli, N., & Drescher, J.

(2015). The Counseling Psychologist, 32(5), 691-715.

The debate among scholars and gay activists and religious/political activists about the appropriateness and efficacy of conversion therapy has left out a number of individuals for whom neither gay-affirmative nor conversion therapy may be indicated. This article attempts to correct this omission by outlining common motivations for pursuing change, updating the current state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of change efforts, and providing some ethical guidelines when therapists encounter clients who present with unwanted homoerotic attraction.

While conversion therapy remains legal in states with greater political opposition to LGBTQ rights, the emergent literature has led fourteen states to ban the practice for minors.

5. Specifically, a brief history is given of the interventions used to change attractions to same-sex adults and the assumptions underlying these efforts.