Massachusetts News 
By Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D.,
Executive Director, NARTH 

October 1--Since 1973, when the American Psychiatric Association officially removed homosexuality from its list of disorders, research on the subject has changed direction. Conducted almost entirely from a gay-advocacy perspective, it is often funded by gay sponsors, carried out by gay researchers, and designed to prove that homosexuality is innate, psychologically normal, and socially desirable.  

With its new survey, NARTH has taken a step again in the direction abandoned 25 years ago. For many years, NARTH clinicians have been saying that sexual-orientation change is possible, and that attempts at change are not inherently psychologically harmful. Results of our recent study support that assertion. 

Preliminary findings have just been released. The self-report survey was conducted among more than 850 individuals and 200 therapists and counselors–specifically seeking out individuals who claim to have made a degree of sexual-orientation change, and the therapists who have counseled such individuals. Data was tabulated by statisticians at Brigham Young University. 

Among the preliminary findings: 

Before counseling or therapy, 68% of the respondents perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely homosexual, with another 22% stating they were more homosexual than heterosexual. After treatment, only 13% perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely homosexual, while 33% described themselves as either exclusively or almost entirely heterosexual.  

99% of respondents said they now believe treatment to change homosexuality can be effective and valuable. 

Those surveyed reported very significant decreases, following treatment, in the frequency and intensity of their homosexual thoughts and fantasies. The same was true of sexual behaviors with a partner (30% had homosexual sex "very often" before treatment, while only 1% did so afterwards). Respondents further indicated that, as a result of treatment and sexual-orientation changes, they were improving psychologically and interpersonally. 

Of the psychotherapists surveyed, 82% said they believe therapy can help change unwanted homosexuality. They indicated that on average, one-third to one-half of their clients had adopted a primarily heterosexual orientation. 

More than 95% of the therapists said they strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that a client may be capable of changing to a heterosexual orientation. 

We should stop telling young people and others struggling with homosexuality that they’re stuck with it. We should instead be encouraging them that change is possible. 

A major orientation shift will not be achieved by everyone; that some remaining degree of struggle is often necessary over the client’s lifetime, particularly during times of stress (as with alcoholics, overeaters and clients struggling with self-esteem issues); and that it is to be expected that some clients will change their minds about the direction of treatment, and decide to go back to a gay lifestyle.  

The change process requires powerful motivation. But the respondents to this study have told us that counseling greatly raised their self-acceptance, self-esteem, self-understanding, and emotional stability and maturity. We also see that it significantly changed unwanted fantasies and behaviors. 

A female respondent said, "I never expected this much recovery. My relationships with men have greatly improved–I am able to relate sexually to men in a way I never was before. I’m learning to leave behind the familiar protective emotions of contempt, arrogance, pseudo-self-sufficiency, anger and self-indulgence, and practice the emotions of love instead." 

Said a male respondent, "Change is extremely difficult and requires total commitment. But I have broken the terrible power that homosexuality had over me for so long. I haven’t been this light and happy since I was a child. People can and do change, and become free." 

This survey will give a new voice to the hundreds of individuals who participated in our study. This is a population which is said not to have existed. The psychological profession ignores them, and the media implies that their choice to change is not an option. But therapists who have worked with these clients have known all along that change is possible. 

NARTH is a non-religiously-affiliated professional organization dedicated to research and treatment for homosexuality. We are a non-profit group of psychiatrists, psychologists, certified social workers, marriage and family counselors, educators, and interested laymen. Our website is www.narth.com. 
 

RETURN TO FRONT PAGE