A Further Perspective on American Psychiatric Association’s Rebuke of Reparative Therapy

Last summer, gay activists within the Association had sought to have reparative-type therapies labeled “unethical.” They did not succeed, but a modified version of their resolution was passed, stating that the A.PA. opposes all portrayals of gay, lesbian and bisexual people as mentally ill, and cautioning that “appropriate informed consent” should be obtained by therapists when working with homosexuals. Significantly, the A.P.A. did admit that there was no body of evidence to prove that reorientation therapies are harmful. Mark Stern was pivotal in assuring that the original, more restrictive resolution did not pass. He is interviewed here by Joseph Nicolosi.