APA: Gay-to-straight therapy doesn't work and may actually be harmful to patients

[ck4829]

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.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090805/ap_on_re_us/us_psychologists_gays

[walldude]

1. Wow ya think?

I didn't need a degree in psychology to figure that one out...


Edit: Not directed at you the OP but at the geniuses in the APA.

[gratuitous]

4. I'm in correspondence right now

This article is very timely. I just received an e-mail from an acquaintance citing a Family Research Council (yeah, I know) "study" about how sexual orientation can be changed. I will use this APA resolution as part of my response to him, along with a few other citations.

For some people, this is indeed very old news. For other people, it will be quite new to them, and they are people who really need to hear not only that their advocacy for change therapy is wrong-headed, but is actually unhealthy and damaging. You know this, I know this, but authoritative pronouncements by medical professionals can certainly help buttress an argument.

I have little hope of actually persuading my correspondent, but I hope to at least keep the conversation respectful and on as high a level as I can manage.

[BlooInBloo]

2. In other breaking news: Water is wet.

[Curtland1015]

3. Well DUH.

Shocking I tells ya, SHOCKING!

:P

[asdjrocky]

5. If you hit yourself in the head with a hammer it will hurt too.

Sometimes the things we need studies for just makes me shake my head.

[Uzybone]

6. place this under the DUH file

[ruggerson]

7. More bad news for Donnie McClurkin

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Reading all the "Duh" responses from the junior Freuds in this thread ...

... I guess the APA should just STFU.

Right?

And maybe repudiate the whole field, like Dr. Tom Cruise says.

:thumbsdown:

--d!

[Toasterlad]

15. Do You Remember How Women Reacted When Doctors Declared That Menstrual Pain Was Real?

Some of us don't need doctors to tell us about ourselves.

[dsc]

9. At the lowest point in dealing with being gay I actively investigated this therapy to my shame

I didn't try it thankfully but I do understand the temptation to do so. It is easy to want to be normal so badly.

[DevonRex]

10. Of COURSE it's harmful to the patients. It tells them that they are not "right"

the way they are. Good grief. I think the whole idea is plain evil.

[DevonRex]

11. Forgot to say I rec'd this. So, K&R. nt

[Initech]

12. I've never had any formal psychology training and I could tell that.

[Lex]

13. Makes as much sense as straight to gay therapy.

Not that there is such a thing, but it would make as much sense, i.e. NONE.

[Toasterlad]

14. Of Course Not! Only PRAYER Can Cure Homosexuality

Every toothless hillbilly knows THAT.

[LeftishBrit]

16. Water is wet; this has been known for decades.

[Quantess]

17. I heard this tidbit tonight on AM 620.

good news!