APA gives thumbs down on gay-to-straight therapy

[Wandered Off]

The American Psychological Association declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments.

Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options — that could range from celibacy to switching churches — for helping clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.

In a resolution adopted on a 125-to-4 vote by the APA's governing council, and in a comprehensive report based on two years of research, the 150,000-member association put itself firmly on record in opposition of so-called "reparative therapy" which seeks to change sexual orientation.

No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the report, and some research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.
...
In dealing with gay clients from conservative faiths, says the report, therapists should be "very cautious" about suggesting treatments aimed at altering their same-sex attractions.

"Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development without imposing a specific identity outcome," the report says.

"We have to challenge people to be creative," said Glassgold.

She suggested that devout clients could focus on overarching aspects of religion such as hope and forgiveness in order to transcend negative beliefs about homosexuality, and either remain part of their original faith within its limits — for example, by embracing celibacy — or find a faith that welcomes gays.

Psychologists repudiate gay-to-straight therapy - Yahoo! News

Finally, a recognition of this too (emphasis mine):

The APA task force took as a starting point the belief that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexuality, not a disorder, and that it nonetheless remains stigmatized in ways that can have negative consequences.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

It would be nice if psychologists could work in conjunction with local ministers and churches related to the patient's denomination... just as a reference service.

That is, the patient struggling with religion and homosexuality can be referred to a church where they can be openly gay and participate in the faith community.

 

[Inky]

I'm glad to hear that they suggest putting equal weight on the options of switching churches and remaining faithful through celibacy. "Ex-gay" conversion attempts are bad news and often prey on people in a vulnerable state, but staying celibate for religious purposes has a tradition beyond avoiding anti-gay rules, and is legitimate in my eyes.

 

[Sunstone]

The wailing and gnashing of teeth at the Focus on the Family headquarters has been especially loud this evening.

 

[monta]

Does this mean psychiatrists will be prevented from advocating such programs or is it just general advice ?


This part confused me, it seems to contradict the whole article

The report also addressed the issue of whether adolescents should be subjected to therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation. Any such approach should "maximize self-determination" and be undertaken only with the youth's consent, the report said.

 

[Always Question]

I'm new in this forum, so I hope it is not out of line to say that the turmoil that a gay person experiences between his nature and his religion shows that religion is entirely a human construct that has generated centuries of needless pain, confusion, torture and misery. Subtract the religious facet of this situation and you have a natural human being who is unafraid to display that nature. I am pleased that the ASA has finally spoken out definitively.