Authors: Throckmorton, Warren; Welton, Gary

Journal of Psychology & Christianity, Vol. 24(4),Win 2005, pp. 332-342

Abstract: Twenty-eight individuals who sought sexual reorientation counseling reported on their experiences with 80 therapists, providing information concerning the therapist’s use of various practices and the perceived helpfulness of each therapist. Thirteen of the practices were taken from prior studies of gay and lesbian clients and seven Were derived from counseling literature regarding sexual reorientation therapy. Participants preferred counselors who were knowledgeable about gay and lesbian issues, did not overfocus on sexual orientation, helped affirm an ex-gay identity, helped clients examine their development for possible reasons relating to the emergence of same-sex attractions, reframed the meaning of the emergence of same-sex attractions for identity, and suggested techniques to minimize same-sex attractions and enhance opposite-sex attractions. They did not judge as helpful counselors who attempted to affirm a gay identity. This is the first study designed to examine the helpfulness of particular therapist practices with clients seeking sexual reorientation.