Is Treating Homosexuality Ethical and Effective

Following the declassification of homosexuality as a disease in 1973, a variety of methods have been made in attempts to help members of the LGBT community become

Long, L. L., Burnett, J. A., & Thomas, R. V. (2006). Sexuality Counseling: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

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

This paper focuses on counseling clients a part of the “sexual minority” (Yarhouse, Kays, and Jones, 2013). The information regarding sexual minorities and the techniques to counsel these clients are summarized from Yarhouse et al.’s “The Sexual Minority Client” (2013). The basis for counseling the sexual minority is competence. This shift to competence is primarily from the “multicultural movement” (Yarhouse, et. al., 2013). Two supporting therapies of this movement are and “affirmative approach” and “sexual identity therapy” (Yarhouse, et. al., 2013). Counselors’ beliefs and values are inevitable in therapy. Practicing in an area with similar beliefs and values minimizes ethical issues. Personal reflection shows acceptance of information provided in the chapter except statements from the ACA and APA in which Christian counselors seem discouraged to provide therapy for the sexual minority. Interest exists in the areas of percentages concerning sexual minority, as well as, these individuals claiming an identity. The primary form of therapy to be administered for a sexual minority client is sexual identity therapy. This therapy provides the least risk in regards to ethics. The client chooses the goal and the counselor acts as a support for the client to obtain the goal. Though beliefs differ, the client will be supported even if the homosexual

Having a platonic relationship with the same sex isn’t always easy due to the fears a heterosexual may have when they have a homosexual friend. The lack of same sex friends can allow for one to often feel isolated. Carl Charles, a survivor of conversion therapy, had his pastor say “you think Jesus wants you to be a dyke? You think Jesus died so you can march down the street with all your faggot friends?” (advocate.com) This so called “therapy” made Carl feel isolated:  “I couldn’t tell my friends, and adults I thought I could trust” (advocate.com). Not only is isolation one of the effects of conversion therapy but an APA study done in 2009 concluded that “ depression, guilt, helplessness, shame, social withdrawal, suicidality and self-blame” are risks taken when enacting in the therapy. The study also concluded that these “risks are even greater for youth. Minors who

Throughout history there has been much controversy surrounding the topic of human beings sexual orientation. Whether it they are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, people like what they like. In some cases, many people believe that they are born with certain urges that attract them to either the same or maybe even the opposite sex. The number one question that has been asked in today’s society is that if using reparative therapy is okay. Although many people believe in using this therapy, they should steer away from practicing it because it is unethical, there is no proven cure, and it often leads to an

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).

Counseling is a field that can be very rewarding for both the client as well as the clinician. Nevertheless, it can also offer great challenges. The benefits of counseling far outweigh the bad. Nonetheless, there is a certain population of individuals who some clinicians may have a difficult time counseling more than others. The recent concerns for gender and sexual orientation constantly are in the limelight, especially amongst the political forefront. This has made clinicians more aware of their own individual biases. Other concerns that may pose a potential conflict during therapy is the aspect of confronting clients who associate with a particular culture, which may be unfamiliar to the clinician. In this paper, I will analyze an in-depth evaluation regarding the many opportunities therapy can bring as well as discuss any potential biases or challenges, which may pose a potential problem in the near future. Also, this paper will take a look at challenges as oppose to race, gender, sexual orientation, the elderly, and people disabilities.

Identity markers will be placed around the room and participants will be invited to place themselves within the gender and sexuality galaxy. Movement and self-witnessing will be used to deepen the experiential. By using this imaginative approach, participants are able to see that there is no hierarchy of identities within gender and sexuality. Participants will also be able to see that there are infinite possibilities and it is our job as therapists to support any client’s identity no matter where it falls in the

In today’s society many disorders may arise. Some of these issues include eating disorders, anxiety, gender-identity disorders, depression, addictions, and many others. However, there is another issue that brings individuals in the counseling setting, and that is the issue of sex and sexuality. Issues stemming from sex and sexuality can arise from same-sex attraction, pornography, infidelity, hormonal issues, and/or negative, inadequate beliefs and perceptions concerning sexuality. Licensed professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, etc…, are trained and usually prepared for these types of disorders, however, certain types of counselors, licensed or not, are not trained in this area. There are various distorted views on sexuality, and these distorted views are across the board. So it begs the question are Christian counselors equipped to handle these types of disorders and many others. If so, what models do they follow in order to help an individual struggling with these issues? This critique will interview a Christian counselor/Addition specialist concerning her viewpoint on human sexuality and her personal model for decision-making in dealing with individuals who struggle in the area of sexuality and/or in any of the other aforementioned areas.

Based on all the evidence provided, I do not believe in reparative therapy. I believe that is dangerous and is damaging to an individual’s (especially a young person's) psyche. The whole process from what was explained in the Stephen Fry video is disturbing. Causing a person shame for having a sexual attraction and not focusing on love or looking back on past ‘trauma’, that really isn’t trauma is wrong. I don’t believe you can change your sexual orientation. You can be in denial about it, but that doesn’t mean it will change. I don’t not think it is something we should be asking people to pursue. Rather, if they are struggling with their sexuality or issues surrounding it, perhaps taking to a regular (non-reparative) therapist about this. The

Sexual orientation is something that people hear about daily in the news, media, and daily lives of others, especially when it comes to the field of psychology and the nature versus nurture debate. For being as commonly debated and discussed as it is, there are many questions that come along with it: what is sexual orientation, how do people know their sexual orientation, what causes homosexuality, is it normal, is it possible to change, and can wanting LGBT, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, youth to change lead to suicide?

Currently, there is debate on whether conversion therapy is effective in changing sexual orientation. Some studies found evidence that conversion therapy does change the sexual orientation of homosexuals . Unfortunately, some of the researchers have apologized to the gay community for lack of credibility and faulty research . In contrast, professional organizations speak out against conversion therapy due to a shortage of evidence that it is successful. One such

Assessment instruments are invaluable tools, helping clinicians determine levels of distress, expediently gathering important background information, understanding clients’ subjective views of the world, and evaluating outcome and

The sexual orientation identity development is a theoretical model that conceptualized the resolution of internal conflict related to the formation of individual sexual identity. For sexual minority people, it is commonly known as the coming-out process (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). There have been many different models elaborated to explain such process. All of them share similar stages: awareness, crisis, and acceptance (Loiacano 1989). When individuals become aware of their queer feelings and attraction, they try to block these homosexual feelings by constantly denying and minimizing them. This mechanism of defense leaves negative sequelae in their overall psychosocial well-being (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). Individuals tend to pass by a