Mental Health News: Gay Therapy Process Revealed

July 12, 2011 - PRLog -- It is possible for self-identified gay and lesbian individuals to modify their sexual attraction to heterosexual attraction. Because of the politicization of homosexuality, research in the field has not achieved universal acceptance among psychologists and other counseling professionals.

The process of therapy is based upon the observation that homosexuality is caused by factors including childhood loss of caring from the same-sex parent, early childhood same-sex experiences setting up fantasies and associated sexual arousal, and lack of sexual boundaries in childhood. The development of same-sex attraction may be increased when there is a combination of these contributing factors.

Creatures of Habit

Because of neuroplasticity, the establishment of patterns of same-sex attraction originating in childhood, are difficult to change. Humans are creatures of habit in the area of sexuality as well as other behaviors which means that in order for change to occur, the individual must be determined in his or her goal and must be committed to a long-term process of therapy.

The Fisher-Greenberg Study

In 1995 two researchers, Seymour Fisher and Roger Greenberg, provided an update of their prior survey of scientific studies looking at possible factors contributing to male homosexuality. They found that absence of the father or rejection by the father, is a significant contributing factor in male homosexual development.
 
Fisher and Greenberg reviewed 22 studies regarding the relationship between male homosexuals and their parents. In 'Freud Scientifically Reappraised: Testing the Theories and Therapy,' (Wiley) the authors concluded on page 139: "As noted, the increased pool of data available reinforces the concept of the negative father ...involved in moving a male child toward homosexuality."

The American Psychological Association

As of the date of this report, the American Psychological Association states in 'Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality,' the following:

“Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people sexual orientation is shaped at an early age.”

The Therapy Summarized

The process of therapy can be illustrated in the following scenario in which the self-identified gay man presents with depression over numerous failed relationships and has expressed a desire to change his same-sex attraction.

The counselor says, “So you feel sad and frustrated about losing caring from men you have been sexually involved with, is that accurate?” and then says, “Who is the first most important man in your life whose caring you lost?”

The client says, “My father left when I was 8 years old.”

The counselor says, “Describe what you needed from your father when you were a child? What kind of father did you need?”

The client says, “I needed a father who cared about me and loved me and wanted to do things together with me.”

The counselor says, “So when you are wanting a relationship with a man, you are looking for caring and closeness like you wanted from your father, and it takes a sexual form. Is that accurate?”

The client says, “Yes, and they are wanting the same from me, and it just doesn’t work. We expect too much from each other and it’s never enough.” If the client does not have this insight, the counselor can state it and check for accuracy.

The counselor then says, “So if no one else can give you the caring you missed, who does that leave?”

The client responds, “Just me.”

The counselor says, “If your father had given you the caring and closeness you needed as child, I wonder if you can imagine how your life might be different today.”

The client may say, “I might not have so many relationships with different men. I might not even be gay.” If the client does not have this insight, the counselor can say, “I wonder if you would be more secure in caring for yourself, and I wonder if you would even be gay today.”

While a variety of other ways of processing the loss of father’s caring and changing the current sexual arousal associations, are involved in the therapy, the above exchange is an example of how the core issue may be addressed.

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