Reparative Therapy

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.

LGBTQ adolescents, also called sexual minority youth, have a higher risk of developing mental and emotional problems than heterosexual youth, and also face more bullying, harassment, and victimization due to homophobia (Craig, Austin, & McInroy, 2014). In order to address their needs, the researchers used group therapy that was based on

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.

Upon the reveal of homosexuality in the bible, many young men confessed to their pastors that they were having homosexual feelings and from this, pastoral counseling exploded. Many pastors were relying on their psychology companions to aid in this movement, however, we begin to see an influx of literature on how to handle these sinners. During this time, pastors were trying to “cure” people of their homosexual thoughts through compassion and understanding. Ultimately, becoming heterosexual was the goal optimal goal. White unveils this novelty of Protestant sex-same behavior therapy.

There is much to learn from all ancestral cultures including the new coin phrase sexual minorities . Mental heath professional is consistently evolving and practitioners must adapt to the changes within practice and ACA ethical guidelines. This paper explores a counselor 's level of competence, etiology findings for homosexuality, controversies with treatment practice by professional and paraprofessional therapy, and new frontier approach with client-centered approach. Since the multicultural movement has become a pillar for ACA code of ethics, it is with great importance to embrace new cultural styles. Although, the counseling field has a great paucity in empirical research; ACA task force remains optimistic in filling this gap. The objective is to help clients find congruence in their identity, belief, and values within their sexual orientation. Counselor must arm themselves with proficient training in multicultural competence, client-centered approach toward client identity edification, and having the integrity to guard clients from harmful clinical practice.

Reparative therapy, is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (Human Rights Campaign). These practices have been banned by many mental health doctors and practitioners. This particular therapy is mainly used on the youth of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Once I have become aware of and accepted my morals, next I need to identify if they are coming into play with this client in a negative way. If my morals are coming into play there are several ways this impact the therapy I am doing with this client. The ways in which impact can occur is through building rapport, maintaining a therapeutic alliance, through my approach including treatment planning and goals, through transference or countertransference, and by limiting my ability to help this client with their issue. Before 1973 the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders viewed homosexuality as a psychological disorder. This resulted in treatment plans that involved reorienting the individual to be heterosexual (Fontaine & Hammond, 1996). Although this practice is no longer common and has been debunked many times a metaphorical wedge between

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

On December 8, 2016, Mark Squilla proposed a bill against a practice called “conversion therapy on LGBTQ” a practice to convert an individual’s gender identity in order to reduce romantic attraction toward same-sex individuals. According to the article, many health associations have proof that “the dangers of conversion therapy practices, which are known to lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and suicide.”(PHL Council). Squilla does not want anyone to feel rejected and ashamed because of who they are. He plays a large role in this bill because he stood up to the LGBTQ commitee and protect who they are.

The goal of conversion therapy is to change a patient’s sexual orientation or the gender that they identify with using an array of techniques, extending as far as procedures like shock therapy.This pseudoscience is based on the belief that a person learns homosexual or transgender behavior. Conversion therapy holds no proof of efficacy, but what it does hold is evidence of psychological harm to patients. With no scientific support for the practice, it has been discredited by nearly all major psychological associations.

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

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