Sexual Identity Therapy

Sexual Identity Therapy is a framework to "aid [mental health] practitioners in helping [lesbian, gay, and bisexual] people arrive at a healthy and personally acceptable resolution of sexual identity and value conflicts." It was invented by Warren Throckmorton and Mark Yarhouse, professors at small conservative evangelical colleges. It has been endorsed by former American Psychological Association president Nick Cummings, psychiatrist Robert Spitzer, and the provost of Wheaton College, Stanton Jones.cite news
url = http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/print.php?storyid=6192
title = New ground in debate on 'curing' gays
last = Simon
first = Stephanie
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = 2007-06-18
accessdate = 2007-10-29] Sexual identity therapy puts the emphasis on how the client wants to live, identifies the core beliefs and helps the client live according to those beliefs. [cite news
url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/27/pzn.01.html
title=Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture?; Trapped in the Wrong Body?
last=Zahn
first=Paula
date=June 27, 2007
publisher=CNN] The creators state that their recommendations "are not sexual reorientation therapy protocols in disguise," but that they "help clients pursue lives they value." They say clients "have high levels of satisfaction with this approach".cite news
url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070419/26956_New_Paradigm_Helps_Gays_with_Conflicting_Religious_Values.htm
title=New Paradigm Helps Gays with Conflicting Religious Values
date=Apr. 19 2007
first=Lillian
last=Kwon
publisher=Christian Post]

Work for developing the framework began with the establishment of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity in 2004. [ [http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/ Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity] ] The announcement of the framework for Sexual Identity Therapy were first released on April 16, 2007. [cite web
url=http://sexualidentity.blogspot.com/2007/04/news-release-sexual-identity-therapy.html
title= News Release: Sexual Identity Therapy Framework
date=April 16, 2007] In June 2007, the guidelines were presented at the American Psychological Association convention in San Francisco. [cite journal
url=http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun07/programming.html
publisher=Monitor on Psychology
date=June 2007
title=Programming highlights for San Francisco
volume=38
number=6] In 2008 the authors announced they were going to review the framework because of "continual changes that are occurring in the area of therapy for individuals experiencing same-sex attractions."cite news
url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080117/30891_Gay_Therapy_Framework_to_be_Reviewed.htm
title=Gay Therapy Framework to be Reviewed
date=Apr. 19 2007
first=Lillian
last=Kwon
publisher=Christian Post]

Endorsements

Gay psychologist Lee Beckstead spoke about his "middle-ground" approach to working with those in conflict with their sexual orientation and religion. He spoke about his approach along with others who spoke about Sexual Identity Therapy at an APA conference. [cite journal
url=http://www.apa.org/divisions/div36/Newsltrs/v32n3.pdf
title=2007 Division 36 Convention Program
publisher=Psychology of Religion Newsleter
date=Summer 2007
volume=32
number=3] Robert L. Spitzer, who was instrumental in removing homosexuality from the DSM in 1973, endorsed the project, saying it was "a work that transcends polarized debates about whether gays can change their sexual orientation." Michael Bussee, an outspoken critic of the ex-gay movement endorsed the project. It has also been endorsed by several other professionals, including Nicholas Cummings, a former president of the American Psychological Association and keynote speaker at the controversial organization National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). [cite web
url=http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/sit-endorsements.doc
title=Sexual Identity Therapy Framework: Statements of endorsement
accessdate=2008-04-28
last=Throckmorton
first=Warren] [ [http://www.narth.com/docs/insiders.html Psychology Losing Scientific Credibility, Say APA Insiders ] ]

Steps

Its purpose is to help clients align their sexual identity with their beliefs and values, which in some cases means celibacy, if chosen by the client. [cite news
url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/27/pzn.01.html
last=Zahn
first=Paula
date=June 27, 2007
title=Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture?] At any point during the therapy, a previous step may be revisited for further investigation or to explore a new direction in the therapy.

Assessment

The first step is to discover the reasonings behind a client requesting therapy. Clinicians should determine whether the motivation is internal or external, followed by an open dialog about motivations while respecting the client’'s world view. They should assist the client to clarify theirvalues in order to determine their preferred course of action. This must be individualized. [http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/sexualidentitytherapyframeworkfinal.pdf Sexual Identity Therapy Framework] ]

Advanced informed consent

Clinicians should stay up to date on literature concerning the causes of homosexuality, but if the client asks about it, they should see how that would affect their course of action.

Psychotherapy

Sexual Identity Therapy gives a framework for existing techniques rather than a specific method of psychotherapy. If a therapist's value position is in conflict with the client's preferred direction, a referral to a more suitable mental professional may be indicated. The goal of therapy is to help the person explore and eventually live more comfortably within a sexual identity that is consistent with personal values and beliefs. This may not be quick or complete, and the client should feel free to pursue other directions.

Sexual identity synthesis

As clients synthesize a new identity, the therapist should make them aware of the consequences. Therapeutic interventions can be employed to assist clients pursue valued behavior while avoiding unvalued behavior. While the decision is the clients, clients are advised against sexual behavior until they are comfortable with their new identity. Many clients find it helpful to attend support groups and avoid social situations that do not support the new identity.

References

External links

* [http://www.sexualidentity.blogspot.com Blog for Sexual Identity Therapy]
* [http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/sit-endorsements.doc Endorsements]
* [http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/ Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity]
* [http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/sexualidentitytherapyframeworkfinal.pdf Sexual Identity Therapy Framework]
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJqQlxM7Wy0w&ei=BJYGSMr5AabgigHq4bzbBw&usg=AFQjCNH6AvyFydnSOhNYEHfe7MDKZFLNrg&sig2=EirdjxWqaVyDENs_cMPhHw You Tube Presentation]