Working With Same-Sex Attraction

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Working With Same-Sex Attraction By Daniel Keeran, MSW College of Mental Health Counseling www.collegemhc.com

In this report, a clear and concise explanation is presented for counseling men reporting that their same-sex attraction causes mental distress, and they are wanting to change to opposite-sex heterosexual attraction. It is possible in some cases for self-identified gay and lesbian individuals to modify their same-sex 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 an emotional block in relating to the opposite-sex parent during childhood, childhood loss of caring from the samesex 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 is difficult to change. Neuroplasticity may decline after age 20 and significantly after age 25. 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. They 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.”


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