Reparative or "Conversion"
Therapy
“Reparative therapy,” also referred to as
"conversion therapy," is a formal attempt to change a person's
sexual orientation — typically from homosexuality to
heterosexuality — or to convince or attempt to "reprogram" a
person to stop engaging in same-sex behavior.
No reliable evidence exists that conversion
therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual
orientation. All the major medical and psychological
organizations have weighed in against conversion therapy and
actively oppose its practice in the United States.
"Clinical experience suggests that any
person who seeks conversion therapy may be doing so because
of social bias that has resulted in internalized homophobia,
and that gay men and lesbians who have accepted their sexual
orientation positively are better adjusted than those who
have not done so."
American Psychiatric Association
"For nearly three decades, it has been known
that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Medical and
mental health professionals also now know that sexual
orientation is not a choice and cannot be altered. Groups
who try to change the sexual orientation of people through
so-called 'conversion therapy' are misguided and run the risk
of causing a great deal of psychological harm to those they
say they are trying to help."
American Psychological Association
"Confusion about sexual orientation is not
unusual during adolescence. Therapy directed at specifically
changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, since it can
provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no
potential for achieving changes in orientation."
American Academy of Pediatrics
"Most of the emotional disturbance
experienced by gay men and lesbians around their sexual
identity is not based on physiological causes, but rather is
due more to a sense of alienation in an unaccepting
environment. For this reason, aversion therapy is no longer
recommended for gay men and lesbians. Through psychotherapy,
gay men and lesbians can become comfortable with their
sexual orientation and understand the societal response to
it."
American Medical Association
The American Counseling Association has
adopted a resolution stating that it opposes portrayals
of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and adults as mentally ill
due to their sexual orientation and that it supports the
dissemination of accurate information about sexual
orientation, mental health, and appropriate interventions in
order to counteract bias that is based on ignorance or
unfounded beliefs about same-gender sexual orientation.
Further, at its 1999 World Conference, ACA adopted a position
opposing the promotion of “reparative therapy” as a “cure” for
individuals who are homosexual.
The National Association of Social Workers,
in its Policy Statement on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues
endorses policies in both the public and private sectors that
ensure nondiscrimination; that are sensitive to the health and
mental health needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people; and
that promote an understanding of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
cultures. Social stigmatization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
people is widespread and is a primary motivating factor in
leading some people to seek sexual orientation changes.
Sexual orientation conversion therapies assume
that homosexual orientation is both pathological and freely
chosen. No data demonstrate that reparative or conversion
therapies are effective, and in fact they may be harmful. NASW
believes social workers have the responsibility to clients to
explain the prevailing knowledge concerning sexual orientation
and the lack of data reporting positive outcomes with
reparative therapy. NASW discourages social workers from
providing treatments designed to change sexual orientation or
from referring practitioners or programs that claim to do so.
This information was adapted from the
publication, Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation & Youth:
A Primer for Principals, Educators & School Personnel. “Just
the Facts” is endorsed by:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Counseling Association
American Association of School Administrators
American Federation of Teachers
American Psychological Association
American School Health Association
Interfaith Alliance Foundation
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Social Workers
National Education Association
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