Therapists are still offering treatments for homosexuality despite there being no evidence that such methods work, research suggests.
A significant minority of mental health professionals had agreed to help at least one patient "reduce" their gay or lesbian feelings when asked to do so.
The survey, published in the journal BMC Psychiatry and conducted by London researchers, involved 1,400 therapists.
Many were acting with the "best of intentions", said the lead author.
Only 4% said they would attempt to change a client's sexual orientation, but when asked if they would help curb homosexual feelings some 17% - or one in six - said they had done so.
The incidence appeared to be as prevalent in recent years as decades earlier.
"Of course it's incumbent on a professional to assist a client who wants help, but this should be done using evidence-based therapies - exploring their distress and helping them to adjust to their situation," said Professor Michael King of University College London.
"We know now that efforts to change people's sexual orientation result in very little change and can cause immense harm.
"We found it very worrying that there was a significant minority who appeared to ignore this - even if they had all the right intentions."
'Right to treatment'The Royal College of Psychiatrists says all homosexuals have "a right to protection from therapies that are potentially damaging, particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation".
In the US, where there has been heated debate on the issue of "curing" homosexuality, The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has urged all "ethical practitioners to refrain from attempts to change individuals' sexual orientation".
However there are organisations which campaign both for an individual's right to seek treatment and a professional's right to offer it.
They point to work by Robert Spitzer, a psychiatrist who lobbied for the removal of homosexuality from APA's list of mental illnesses but went on to suggest in a controversial 2001 study that therapy could bring about change in sexual orientation.
Researchers in the UK are launching a website to collect stories from around the world about such therapies.
They hope in this way to uncover stories from India, South America and China where little is known about the prevalence of such practices.
Therapists offer gay 'treatment'
Published by s.b.f on 26 March, 2009 - 01:22
What do you think?
Do you think homosexuals should try to get treatment for being gay/lesbian?
simple question:
is homosexuality scientifically proven to be genetic.
answer : no
classic example: bi-sexuals prove you are not born gay.
obviously homosexuals find this 'therapy' insulting but from a non- homosexual or religious viewpoint it can make sense.
If someone thinks there is nothing wrong with it, I doubt they would approve of such things. Besides I thought such therapy (actually, all therapy that is more than just changing emotions into words?) was a known flop and failure?
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
What does that even mean?
Don't just do something! Stand there.
He is suggesting that people get addicted to pleasure and at that point for some it no longer matters where its from.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
What does that even mean?
Don't just do something! Stand there.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3735668.stm