Reflections, Reflections

News Advisory for Feb. 3 /Christian Wire Service/

Recently controversy has erupted in Rockville, Maryland and Houston, Texas over billboard advertising concerning the right of people to seek change in homosexuality. Despite research to the contrary, critics such as the National Mental Health Association have suggested that such efforts are harmful, saying in their brochure, What Does Gay Mean?, "…attempts to 'cure' lesbians and gay men may help change sexual behavior temporarily but will also create emotional trauma."

However, a major mental health association, the American Counseling Association has gone on record as defending the right of people to determine whether or not they should seek change. Based in Alexandria, VA, the ACA along with its divisions represents the interests of counselors ranging from school to career counselors.

In reply to a question from Rev. D. L. Foster of Atlanta GA, Larry T. Freeman, MA, LPC, Manager, Ethics and Professional Standards for the ACA affirmed a client's right to self-determination as it relates to seeking counseling to change sexual identity. Pastor Foster asked the ACA in a letter: "I am interested to know if the ACA's Code of Ethics A.2.B is applicable to clients who seek to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual."

Mr. Freeman's verbatim response is as follows:

"In response to your inquiry below regarding whether Section A.2. Respecting Diversity. b. Respecting Differences; is applicable to clients who seek to change their sexual orientation. Yes, this code applies to any one who feels or perceives themselves as struggling with an issue that impacts negatively the quality and comfort of their daily life. The key word here is client, it is the client that approaches the counselor and gives consent to be treated. If one's sexual orientation is not an issue to them, it should not be an issue for the counselor. However, if it is, then the person(s) should have the freedom of choice to seek appropriate treatment for it; what ever the issue(s) may be. If what the client is experiencing is not in the training or education of the counselor a referral is suggested to the client, so they can receive the proper treatment that meets their counseling needs."

"As the past president of a division of the ACA, I am glad to see this professional body recognize a client's right to self-determination. Further, if a counselor is not equipped to help a person who wants to re-orient their sexuality, then an appropriate referral should be made," said Dr. Warren Throckmorton, past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and associate professor of psychology at Grove City College (PA).

There are few issues where pro-homosexuals display just how rabid and frothy-at-the-mouth dogmatic they are regarding change than the above. Pro-homosexuals are totally for a person changing their outerly body to match a "wrong" sex identity, but they want to burn at the stake any person who wants to change inside.

A tad on the troglodyte vein regarding thinking about human psychology, isn´t it?