The problem is the bulk of mental health professionals are held by and beholden to APA which is vested in expressed homosexuality. Ever since homosexuality was removed as a disorder in the DSM (by political pressure), there has not been any bias free and balanced investigation of the etiology of same sex attraction and management / treatment modalities for unwanted SSA. The APA has already dictated that homosexuality is not changeable and attempts to change is commonly and inherently harmful. Would any practicing mental health professional under APA risk doing or saying anything openly that is a departure from the official line?
You mentioned Jones and Yarhouse, focusing on the failures of sexual orientation change therapy, ignoring that their study do not prove that categorical change in sexual orientation is possible for everyone or anyone, but rather that meaningful shifts along a continuum that constitute real changes appear possible for some. They also noted that attempts to change do not appear to be harmful on average or inherently harmful. There is some capacity for some people to shift their sexual orientation in a way that has personal meaning to them.
Given a culture surrounding a same sex attracted person with suggestions and prompts right and left to go ahead and act on his or her homosexual inclination, a gay affirming APA, gay themed tv programs, a current President joining in, with public congratulations to sports figures who come out, etc., is it a wonder that failure in changing homosexual behavior and orientation is high?
Ask yourself if you are letting yourself swept away by the culture too. You seem to discount prayer and change therapy as helpful aids to struggling homosexuals. Indeed, there are lots of naysayers who come onto this site, even Catholics, who badmouth the good work of the few who remain standing, counter cultural if you will, like Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons, Dr. Nicolosi and company, the Courage apostolate, Catholic Therapists, JONAH,
mormonandgays.org, and other organizations in
this list.
George Bernard Shaw:
*People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
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I don’t agree that a person with same sex attraction need to avoid close friendships with members of his / her sex.
There is nothing wrong unless the same sex friend is also a sexual and romantic partner.
By all means, keep and enjoy your friend or friends. Who would begrudge you this?
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