Reparative Therapy®: What It Is, and What It Is Not
I have composed the chart (see below), based upon Dr. Nicolosi’s paper “Reparative Therapy: Examining the Controversy.” I do this in response to the vilification of Reparative Therapy by certain groups in legislative hearings, the press, and some religious groups, as well as in response to ignorance and misunderstanding on the part of the uninformed. I do not speak for or represent any other group in offering this submission.
–Keith Vennum, M.D., LMHC
Reparative Therapy®: What it is and what it is not
What It Is
Client sets the goals of therapy
Therapeutic Alliance is essential
Client defines clear objectives
A conscious effort to reduce shame
Removes obstacles to emotional development
Techniques that for many clients reduce unwanted same sex attractions
Client experiences a shift along a continuum
Assumption that most same-sex attractions arises from a sense of masculine inferiority and unmet needs for male attention, affection and approval
An assumption that same-sex attraction has underlying psychological cause
A willingness to explore sex abuse as a possible contributing factor
Exploration of anxieties about relating to men and women
Full disclosure of therapist’s beliefs about homosexuality
Client is always free to disagree with the therapist
Treatment always meets professional practice standards
Evidence-based education to enhance the client’s safety about the gay lifestyle
What It Is Not
Coercion and manipulation involved
Therapy is imposed on the client
The therapist imposes goals
An exercise in shaming client
Forced attempt to change
A guaranteed change
A categorical change
A required approach for everyone
Same-sex attraction is biologically determined
Assumes that they are unrelated
Imposed behavioral exercises with men and women
A hidden agenda to manipulate the client
The therapist is always right
Aversion therapy and other unprofessional techniques
Therapists threaten or frighten client with skewed information
