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Knowing what we do not know about sexual orientation change efforts
Christopher H Rosik1, Stanton L Jones, A Dean Byrd
1Link Care Center, 1734 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711, USA. christopherrosik@linkcare.org
The American Psychologist
|September 12, 2012
Summary
This commentary examines the American Psychological Association
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Ethics in Psychology
Background:
- The American Psychological Association (APA) published guidelines for psychological practice with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.
- These guidelines are considered a helpful resource for clinicians working with individuals experiencing same-sex attractions.
- Familiarity with the guidelines is essential for ethical psychological practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide commentary on the APA's guidelines for psychological practice with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.
- To express concern regarding the guidelines' portrayal of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).
- To critique the guidelines' depiction of SOCE effectiveness and harm.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the APA's guidelines.
- Focus on the sections addressing sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).
- Review of scientific literature pertaining to SOCE effectiveness and harm.
Main Results:
- The APA's guidelines are a valuable resource for clinicians.
- Concerns exist regarding the portrayal of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) within the guidelines.
- The guidelines' discussion of SOCE effectiveness and harm requires further scientific scrutiny.
Conclusions:
- The APA's guidelines are a helpful document for ethical practice with LGBTQ+ clients.
- There is a need for a more scientifically rigorous discussion of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).
- The authors propose advancing the conversation on SOCE through empirical science.
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