Professional Ethics
If a client with unwanted same-sex attractions seeks therapy, the psychological community is ethically bound to respect the client’s choice.
If an individual decides that same-sex attractions do not match his/her personal values and seeks therapy, the professional is ethically bound to respect the client’s choice. It is unethical for a therapist to try to convince a client that either (1) same-sex attractions are wrong and should be changed or that (2) the client should embrace homosexuality or a gay identity when he/she has determined that such does not fit with his/her personal values. A therapist acts ethically by presenting all alternatives and letting the client make decisions for him/herself. A therapist should ensure that an individual makes a free and voluntary choice by using an advanced informed consent to treatment.
As a science that emphasizes the celebration of individual differences, psychological associations and practitioners must preserve the rights of all people to choose and pursue their own values, lifestyle, and treatment.
Although homosexuality is no longer classified as a disorder, clinicians who assist those who seek treatment for same-sex attraction are treating within the guidelines in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fourth Edition, American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC, 1994, p. 528), section 302.9, "sexual disorders not otherwise specified," "persistent and marked distress about sexual orientation."
Raymond Fowler, Executive Director of the American Psychological Association, said "The APA's position on reparative therapy is that those who wish to explore developing heterosexual feelings or behavior have a right to do so as part of every client's right to self-determination. If an individual is comfortable with homosexuality, it is not the role of the therapist to convince the client otherwise. If one's feelings are ego-dystonic and there is a desire to talk about changing, that is an acceptable choice and a psychologist may participate if he or she desires."
However, gay activists continue their attempts to make such treatment unethical. Proposals have been presented in both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association to make it unethical for a therapist to offer treatment to those who seek it for their distress over homosexual desires. They seek to have the licenses of such therapists revoked and be liable for punitive damages. Those who oppose this oppressive ideology are taking proactive measures to preserve the right of clients to receive professional help. Therapists who have seen how people can be helped are organizing to find ways to protect the rights of patients who seek treatment as well as the rights of the therapists who treat them. For more information, contact the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.
While it is true that no one should be coerced into treatment, the reverse is also true: that no one should be denied treatment if they want it. Ultimately, it is an issue of personal freedom and self-determination. A variety of studies have shown that between 25% and 50% of those seeking treatment experience significant improvement.
For more reading:
APA Journal Says Gender-Affirmative Therapy Should be Available
An article in an American Psychological Association journal defends the ethics and effectiveness of gender-affirmative therapy.
Some Psychologists Say Reparative Therapy is Unethical: Yet Modern Methods are Healing and Client-Centered by Charlotte Rosenak, Ph.D. The Counseling Psychologist, 27 (5), 722-742.
There is an abundance of clinical data that suggests that reparative therapy can help clients achieve more responsiveness to the opposite sex. To not provide clients with what they request is irresponsible and unethical. It is our social responsibility to let people know that the development of homosexuality as we know it today has not been proven to be a genetic inevitability and that alternatives to embracing the homosexual lifestyle do exist.
Research Published In APA Journal
The American Psychological Association's prestigious journal Professional Psychology: Research and Practice published a comprehensive research paper on sexual-orientation change in June 2002. Clients have the right to pursue change, the author says, because "sexual orientation, once thought to be an unchanging trait, is actually quite flexible for some people."
Many Professionals Support Clients' Rights for Gender-Affirmative Therapy
Former heads of the APA and other professional associations state that a client has the right to pursue change and that such therapy can be helpful.
Clients Have a Right to Seek Change
The American Counseling Association defends the right of people to determine whether or not they should seek counseling to change sexual identity.