Conversion Therapy Research Paper

Recent studies have shown that spirituality is a very significant factor in addiction treatment recovery. Faith- Based Treatment is described from a theological standpoint. According to Albers (1997), It is a “gift of grace and is a processive phenomenon incorporating the reality of the past, the actuality of the present and the potentiality of the future”. According to Sider and Unruh (1999), faith- based treatment is more effective due to it being better cost- efficient than most government programs. Sider used a program called “Teen Challenge” program as an example in the article as it being one of the largest residential rehabilitation programs in the world. Sider also reported that the Teen Challenge rehabilitation program has a rate of 70 percent success than most programs. Studies have also shown that faith- based treatment have played a significant role in

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, or Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) has a troubled history within the United States and abroad. Conversion therapy is the use of a variety of means to attempt to change an individual’s sexual or gender orientation. Current practices include inducing vomiting or paralysis while showing a subject homoerotic images, having a subject snap a rubber band on their wrist whenever they have certain thoughts, or using tactics to create shame or aversion to same sex or transgender thoughts. Many established institutes claim that the therapy does or doesn't work and offer contradicting evidence for their position. The Movement Advancement Project, a group dedicated to providing research for the advancement of LGBT people, states in an infographic that nine states, plus the District of Columbia and a handful of municipalities have banned conversion therapy from being provided by licensed medical professionals to minors (“Kids” 1). Based on the established evidence and the overwhelming number of psychologists and sociologist that disavow conversion therapy, along with the multitude of horror stories from children who were persuaded, or forced, to participate by their parents, the federal government should ban conversion therapy for all minors.

Electroconvulsive shock therapy, copper heating wires and mind altering drugs seem like something straight out of a terrifying horror film, but these are all painful realities for some victims of conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is also known as reparative therapy, and is the widespread practice of trying to change the sexuality of gay men and women all over the world. It is an inhumane process that only hurts patients. Gay conversion therapy is a horrifying term used to rationalize physical torture, psychological damage and systematic oppression towards the LGBT community that needs to be banned.

The study that provides evidence that conversion therapy is both ineffective and harmful is provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) in a report entitled, Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. The report concluded that, "efforts to change sexual

Thesis: Conversion therapy receives little support from the American psychiatric community due to a lack of evidence confirming its supposed effectivity and the measurable damage it causes to the individuals subjected to its outdated practices.

During the 1900’s, homosexuals were sent to mental institutions to “cure” them of what was thought to be a disease. There they underwent shock therapy, one of the many methods used in conversion therapy. In 1920 Sigmund Freud began the practice of changing a person 's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. In the beginning homosexuality was also deemed as “ a negative human characteristic caused by immaturity, pathology and family dynamic” (Scoolaid.net). Soon its popularity had scientists such as Eugen Steinach, Sandor Ferenczi as well as his daughter Anna Freud partake in the practice. If they were not sent to mental

Christians have a unique situation with being involved with psychology. Psychology and faith are hard to fit together. Throughout this paper, how psychology and Christianity can be used together is discussed. Personally, before even starting to study psychology as an academic study, this student had experience with Christian psychology. Christianity and psychology can work together, but some aspects of psychology are not able to be fit with Christianity.

Most medical and mental health practitioners agree that efforts to change sexual orientation are ineffective and harmful. The APA stated that "no recent research (1999-2007) meets methodological standards that permit conclusions regarding efficiency or safety of conversion therapy"(...). Douglas C. Haldeman presented an odd case that presented both the ineffectiveness and also the indirect benefits of conversion therapy, where a gay man realized there was nothing he could do to change and finally accepted himself for who he was (p. 120, ). However, not all patients have the same results. There are critical health risks that have been associated with conversion therapy. Many patients have suffered from depression, anxiety, lowered self esteem, and sexual dysfunction. In extreme cases, some patients have even attempted suicide. Haldeman described another case of a man who had high hopes of being "cured" and being able to live a happy heterosexual life. After the therapy had failed him, he became depressed Aside from the therapy being harmful and ineffective, ethicists discourage conversion therapy on the basis that implies that there is cure for a

Conversion Therapy of minors is only illegal in 5 states: Vermont, California, New Jersey, Illinois and Oregon. There are many states missing from this list, including Virginia. The state of Virginia must acknowledge that the practice of conversion therapy should be equated with the use of torture. Our constitution outlaws the use of cruel and unusual punishment. However, in allowing this practice to continue, we have neglected both the constitution, as well as our citizens. As the birthplace of our nation's first president, the state of Virginia should strive to protect his legacy each and every day. Approximately two weeks ago, one of your citizens whose name is Eddie (#saveeddie) attended the Watermarks Camp, a Christian summer camp located

al., 2013, p. 253). With treatments such as “professional therapy and paraprofessional/religious ministry contexts”, Sanders and his colleagues report that thirty percent of those who participated in this form of therapy achieved “positive outcomes” (2013, p. 255). Although critics to changing one’s sexual orientation claim that there are many factors that limit the support of the research proving the success of this treatment option, Sanders states that there is data supporting successful conversions (2013, p. 255).

Conversion disorder, also known as neurological symptom disorder (NSD), is a mental condition where you have physical symptoms but there is no medical explanation for your condition the problem is all neurological. According to Harvard Health Publications, “The term conversion comes from the idea that psychological distress is being converted into a physical symptom” (‘Conversion disorder guide: Causes, symptoms and treatment options’, n.d.)The term conversion originated from Freud, who believed that anxiety, and unconscious mechanisms, turned into somatic symptoms.

The views on conversion therapy are not new but have developed over time. According to a report by an Indiana University graduate, conversion therapy aims to “cure homosexuals by changing them into heterosexuals,” (Laemmle). This includes using “electrical shock therapy, chemical aversive therapy,... religious propaganda” and other types of remedies in order to “fix” homosexuals (Ibid.). People who use conversion therapy believe that homosexuality is

Conversion disorder is a disorder where people have unexplainable nervous system symptoms. These symptoms may include things such as paralysis or blindness. These symptoms occur after a psychological conflict or stressful events. People who have things such as a medical illness, dissociative disorders, or personality disorders are more at risk for this disorder. When people discuss conversion disorder, it’s important that they know the symptoms, causes, and treatments for it.

Monday was the second time in three years that the U.S. Supreme court rejected a challenge to the 2012 legislation putting a ban on gay conversion therapy in California. The said law prohibits mental health counselors, psychologists, and social workers licensed in the state from offering the said therapy to alter minors’ sexual orientation, Reuters details.