Many Professionals Condemn APA for Barring Research and Support Clients' Rights
Dr. Robert Perlof
Dr. Robert Perloff, 1985 President of the American Psychological Association
(APA) believes the APA is “too politically correct” and “too obeisant to special
interests.” In an expression of public anger and frustration, Dr. Perloff
condemned the APA's one-sided political activism in a public address at the 2001
APA Annual Convention. Referring to gender-affirmative therapy, he said: "It is
considered unethical...That's all wrong. First, the data are not fully in yet.
Second, if the client wants a change, listen to the client. Third, you're
barring research."1
Dr. Perloff is a recipient of the American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal
Award for Lifetime Achievement in Psychology in the Public Interest. In
bestowing the award, the Psychological Foundation recognized Perloff for his
noted "love of social justice" and his career-long struggle to champion "the
rights and dignity of women, minorities, and homosexuals."
But, Perloff asked, "How can you do research on change if therapists involved in
this work are threatened with being branded as unethical?" The APA's Lesbian,
Gay and Bisexual Issues Committee has consistently lobbied against the right of
homosexuals to receive treatment for unwanted same sex attractions and of
scientists to study the viability of sexual reorientation therapy.
Dr. Perloff added the following comment in an interview: "I believe that APA is flat out wrong, undemocratic, and shamefully unprofessional in denying NARTH the opportunity to express its views and programs in the APA Monitor (magazine) and otherwise under APA's purview."2
Robert Spitzer, M.D.
Dr. Robert Spitzer, the psychiatrist who is called the "architect of the 1973
diagnostic manual" that normalized homosexuality, expressed a similar concern
about the movement within the mental-health professions to prevent gender
affirmative therapy. Describing his own study, which he would later announce at
a panel discussion at the 2000 Psychiatric Association convention, Dr. Spitzer
said:
"I'm convinced from people I have interviewed...many of them...have made
substantial changes toward becoming heterosexual. I came to this study
skeptical. I now claim that these changes can be sustained." About exclusive
homosexuality, he conceded, "I think, implicitly, there is something not
working."3
Raymond Fowler
Dr. Raymond Fowler, CEO of the American Psychological Association, says that his interpretation of the APA's position on gender-affirmative 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.4
Brent Scharman
Dr. Brent Scharman, former president of the Utah Psychological Association, considers himself a typical psychologist
—not an activist on either side of the homosexual issue. He says that all homosexual individuals should have the right to pursue change. It is the client, he says, who should determine the direction of the treatment.5
Warren Throckmorton
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, former president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, studied a broad cross-section of research on sexual-orientation change. He says such treatment has been effective, can be conducted in an ethical manner, and should be available to those clients requesting such assistance.6
Martin Seligman
Dr. Martin Seligman, 1998 President of the American Psychological Association, cites research in his book What You Can Change and What You Can't that is optimistic about change for those who have had fewer homosexual experiences and/or some bisexual feelings.7
Mark Yarhouse
In recent papers in the journals Psychotherapy and American Journal of Family Therapy, Dr. Mark Yarhouse of Regent University made a powerful case for such therapy: "Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to allow individuals to pursue treatment aimed at curbing experiences of same-sex attraction...not only because it affirms the clients' right to dignity, autonomy and agency...but also because it demonstrates regard for diversity."8
Endnotes
(1) "Same Office, Different Aspirations," APA Monitor on
Psychology, December 2001, p. 20.
(2) Dr. Robert Perloff, personal correspondence to NARTH, February 15, 2002.
(3) Quoted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger on her syndicated radio show, January 21,
2000.
(4) Reported in "1999 NARTH Conference, Speech by Brent Scharman," the NARTH
Bulletin, December 1999.
(5) Ibid.
(6) Throckmorton, Warren, "Attempts to Modify Sexual Orientation: A Review of
Outcome Literature and Ethical Issues," Journal of Mental Health Counseling,
October 1998, vol. 20, pp. 283-304.
(7) Reported in "1999 NARTH Conference, Speech by Brent Scharman," NARTH
Bulletin, December 1999.
(8) Yarhouse, Mark, "When Clients Seek Treatment for Same-Sex Attraction:
Ethical Issues in the 'Right to Choose' Debate." Psychotherapy, vol. 35,
Summer 1998, no. 2, pp. 234-259.