Mental health professionals no longer regard homosexuality as a disorder. So why attempt to change it?
Mental health professionals are not the guardians of public morality or spiritual direction. While their skills are mostly helpful and essential, those who dogmatically refuse people assistance with exploring change fail to respect the idea that for some individuals homosexuality is not an identity nor a way of life that this group is comfortable with. It's true, homosexual tendencies or feelings, will not change for some people. However, forcing them to accept homosexual practice as normal or desirable or affrming the normality of homosexuality is unlikely to be helpful to this population and is an infrignement of individual rights for self-determination.
A truly person-centred approach will explain all options open to individuals in this position, any potential dangers or limitations, and allow individuals to determine their own pathway. Supporting sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) should be a possibility once this has been done and individuals are aware that not everyone can make such a transition or should attempt to do so. If a therapist or mental health worker cannot, on grounds of conscience or competence offer such support, the client should have the right to find other professionals to support these goals. Conversely, if a therapist is unable to journey with a client to full affirmation of a homosexual identity, the client should be referred to a therapist able and willing to provide such support (having affirmed the client's right to do so, respectfully).
In the absense of evidence to suggest that SOCE are harmful or discredited (despite claims to the contrary) it is unreasonable to deny people who seek to explore the possibility of change, support or to vilify therapists able to do so.
Next: What professional bodies are you regulated by and do they approve your counselling?
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Mental health professionals are not the guardians of public morality or spiritual direction. While their skills are mostly helpful and essential, those who dogmatically refuse people assistance with exploring change fail to respect the idea that for some individuals homosexuality is not an identity nor a way of life that this group is comfortable with. It's true, homosexual tendencies or feelings, will not change for some people. However, forcing them to accept homosexual practice as normal or desirable or affrming the normality of homosexuality is unlikely to be helpful to this population and is an infrignement of individual rights for self-determination.
A truly person-centred approach will explain all options open to individuals in this position, any potential dangers or limitations, and allow individuals to determine their own pathway. Supporting sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) should be a possibility once this has been done and individuals are aware that not everyone can make such a transition or should attempt to do so. If a therapist or mental health worker cannot, on grounds of conscience or competence offer such support, the client should have the right to find other professionals to support these goals. Conversely, if a therapist is unable to journey with a client to full affirmation of a homosexual identity, the client should be referred to a therapist able and willing to provide such support (having affirmed the client's right to do so, respectfully).
In the absense of evidence to suggest that SOCE are harmful or discredited (despite claims to the contrary) it is unreasonable to deny people who seek to explore the possibility of change, support or to vilify therapists able to do so.
Next: What professional bodies are you regulated by and do they approve your counselling?
Back to FAQs
Last modified: Thursday, 8 July 2010, 02:27 PM