The Benefits Of Gay-Affirmative Therapy

In earlier studies, clinicians treated same-sex sexual desires through aversion therapy interventions, this form of therapy focused on physiological stimulation. The goal of this treatment is to reduce sexual arousal of same-sex stimuli and attraction, decrease interest in sexual desires with same sex partners, increased interest in sexual arousal in opposite sex partners, increased marriage and relationships with opposite sex, and improving quality of life and mental health (APA). A journal article written by the American Psychological Association (APA), analyzed several therapy measures used within aversion therapy treatments. Results from analyzing several of these treatments, allowed the APA to determine experimental studies as a lower …show more content…
Silverstein, in the 1970’s several states formed gay counseling centers in the attempt to provide alternative treatment from the traditional bizarre methods used over the decades of “treating” conversion. These centers were staffed by peer counselors and medical professionals. The mission of these clinics were to help people who felt distressed over their homosexuality tendencies by attempting to not change their desires of homosexuality. Generally, treating the person and not the condition as previous treatments have attempted. Treatments done within these clinical settings have paved a path for new literature on gay-affirmative therapy. Leading authors and clinicians of this new form of therapy have all rejected the early medical model of gay conversion. This new approach led to a non-pathological theoretical position. These treatments allow for clinicians to treat people to help alleviate harmful effects of internalized mental disorders. One of the first treatments used concerns external stressors such as, homophobia and relationships to families. The treatment acts to target sources of stress to allow for better living conditions. Another form of treatment within gay-affirmative therapy is attempting to define internal psychological emotional pain for homosexuals. This treatment also allows clients to form better coping skills and to alleviate pain caused by external factors, such as, social factors. The last technique used is group psychotherapy. It has been documented, therapist Fensterheim, has effectively used to form of treatment with homosexuals. However, still most of these studies have been found to lack conceptual soundness, stating that this therapy is far too one-sided and holds biases by the treating