|
|
Post by eccentric on Nov 13, 2015 11:16:57 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by monica on Nov 13, 2015 18:47:12 GMT
Where homosexuality is seen as a perversion and against the natural order (as defined by God), the focus would have been to try and change someone into a 'normal' person. If a homosexual was in an environment having been brought up with religious teaching that homosexuality was wrong and would mean they went to hell, they might themselves be very unhappy and want to be 'normal'. Therapy that promoted this approach would have fitted in with the perception that to be 'normal' would lead to happiness but, as I think we all know now, this is not the case.
Scientific research and discovery over the decades has led to a far better understanding of neuroscience, behaviour and sexuality and this, coupled with the Gay Rights movements, the progressive secularisation of society, and changes in the law (if not always society) has resulted in a different perception of homosexuality and what it is. Thus, working with an 'unhappy homosexual' would not automatically lead a counsellor to believe they were unhappy because of their orientation (although that's always a possibility), and a therapist is more likely to explore the whole personal situation rather than just the orientation.
As eccentric says, the objective of therapy is to bring the client to a place where they can be who they are and accept that rather than to change who they are because it does not fit in with external expectations. A client who is unhappy with his homosexuality would be best served by a therapist helping him look at every aspect of his life, not just that one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr Johnny Munford on Nov 25, 2015 19:35:40 GMT
When I first came out, in the 80's, sexual orientation was generally understood as being wholly or partly a social construction, which meant that arguments against attempts to modify sexual orientation were generally couched in ethical terms. Some feminists even took the stance that sexual identity was a political choice -using the slogan 'Every woman can be a lesbian'.
The problem was that this argument didn't match up with the evidence - which was, and is, that sexual orientation is rarely, if ever, changed by therapy - invasive, aggressive or otherwise.
Since the advent of the Human Genome Project, and the rise of cognitive neuroscience, the scientific consensus has moved to the view that sexual orientation is largely determined before birth - and is probably the result of a number of factors which may be different for men and women. This is why Professional Associations of psychologists and psychotherapists now firmly oppose socalled 'reparative therapies' and other attempts to modify sexual desires, whether ot=r not clients wish to go ahead with them.
|
|
