Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The American Psychological Association (APA) declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay and lesbian clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments.
Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options, ranging from celibacy to switching churches, in the case of clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.
In a resolution adopted on sweeping 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 opposing so-called “reparative therapy” which seeks to change sexual orientation and often results in highly destructive outcomes.
Judith Glassgold, a Highland Park, N.J., psychologist who chaired the task force, said she hoped the document could help calm the polarized debate between religious conservatives who believe in the possibility of changing sexual orientation and the many mental health professionals who reject that option.
“Both sides have to educate themselves better,” Glassgold said in an interview. “The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality.”
From the Left 
Three cheers. Hurray! Three cheers. Hurray! But why is it always academia who must respond to the horrors of Christianity and not the other way around? Rightwing Christianity is the force behind the reparative therapy movement. They have the problem — not the gay community.
I agree, Brig. Academia once again must respond to the religious zealots fueling this phony therapy. I wonder when religion will start to respond to logic and reason?
I too agree with Brigadoon and Randy. I have to say I’m surprised that they still thought that therapy could “change” a person’s sexual orientation. I guess I was naive in thinking that we were beyond that sort of thing.
After all…all the prayin’ and preachin’ in the world didn’t change the “Muscle Stud” Ted Haggard.
Gay people are always the target of Christians.
To think there are professional Christians in the mental health field who use their education and their faith to try and change people is inexcusable to me.
Leave people alone. True Christians accept people and don’t judge.