Despite the fact that it has been decades since homosexuality was acknowledged as a mental disorder there are still practitioners all over the world who offer sexual reorientation therapy (SRT), also known as conversion or reparative therapy, as a service. The debate over whether or not SRT is an effective treatment has been ongoing for as long as the therapy has been used, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. This essay looks to explore the reasons people seek SRT, look at its failures and successes, and discuss why this therapy could be pseudoscientific.
Conversion therapy is one which has been used for decades as a way to change a person’s sexuality from Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB) to heterosexual (E Macchio 2011). This can be
…show more content…
More recent reasons could include; conflicts with religious views, fear of rejection from family, friends and church due to sexuality and personal views on homosexuality/internalised homophobia. Others may have at one time been sent for SRT by family members, pastors or various professionals, due to the fact that homosexuality was classed as a treatable disorder (A. Flentje, N.Heck & B.Cochran 2014). Religious leaders may offer conversion counselling without a licence making this an unscientific practice.
One of the biggest issues with SRT is that there are ethical issues in both banning the practice and continuing to offer the practice. Supporters of SRT claim that it is unethical to refuse treatment to people who wish to try it as a way of handling their sexuality. It has been brought to attention that the APA’s ethical guidelines state:
‘Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people… Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language and socioeconomic status and consider these factors when working with members of such groups.’ (APA,