|
from What do clinical studies say?
Book Excerpt
More Balance Needed in the Journal
of Marriage and Family Therapy
An open letter from:
Mina O'Connell, MA, MS
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Certified Marriage and Family Therapist
Over the past decade, Student, Associate and
Clinical Membership in the American Association
for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) has
created a valuable pathway for my growth and
development in the practice of marriage and family
therapy. Research and publications seemed
value-neutral and respectful of the wide range of
views held by the many members of the association.
However, the October 2000 issue of the Journal of
Marital & Family Therapy took a distinctly
different approach with a special section entitled
"Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Family
Therapy." This collection of writings by nine
authors, who were invited by a homosexual guest
editor from the editorial board, provided
"Perspectives for the Contemporary Therapist."
Those perspectives labelled our culture
"homophobic and heterosexist," warning of "the
threat of anti-gay/lesbian violence."
The guest editor regretted the lack of articles in
the AAMFT literature addressing the gay civil
rights movement over the past twenty years, and
decried the "so-called 'Defense of Marriage Acts'"
which define marriage as between one man and one
woman. He stated, "We still have a long way to
go...."
Other authors provided anecdotal case studies of
therapy sessions. In one disturbing account, a
13-year-old oppositional girl spoke of wanting to
marry and have children. The consultant asked,
"But I'm curious, what would happen if in fact you
fell in love with another woman and not a man?"
Eventually, the girl learned about lesbianism from
the consultant.
In my first semester of training, I learned
therapists do not lead clients. This young,
oppositional teenager had been introduced to
lesbianism in therapy, and defined herself as gay
after the experience. This author claimed that
10%-12% of youth are gay, so "homophobia and
heterosexism" within families and among teachers
and health care providers contribute to poor
self-esteem and suicidality.
Another writer described a session with a small
6-year-old boy and his parents. The child's
affectionate play at recess, hugging another
little boy while trying to kiss his cheek, caused
concern in the parents, who wondered if he were
transsexual. This child came to the family
through adoption when he was one year old;
therefore, he would have had primary attachment
deficits to overcome. But the story of his
therapy sexualized the child's needs and motives and discounted any
adults' "fear of recruiting young people into the
gay lifestyle" as a stereotype. The therapist
sought to educate the family about successful gay
and lesbian persons, with the goal that
"heterosexism and homophobia" would be countered.
After reading this heavily biased material, I was
discouraged that my professional association would
publish such a collection of articles, allowing
name-calling of those with traditional moral
values. Many clinicians still treat homosexuality
based upon the body of research on sexual
disorders (such as Bieber's) which has never been
disproven.
My prior training through the AAMFT generally
emphasized respect for clients' and therapists'
values. I immediately called the editor and
discussed the biased nature of the issue. She
responded that this was clinical research which
had passed the editorial board's review, and then
she added that I was the only person who had
disapproved within the AAMFT's broad readership,
which extends to Canada, South America and
overseas.
After collaboration with Dr. Nicolosi at NARTH, I
gathered ten other clinicians from the U.S. and
South America and we sent letters to the editor
asking for a special section, equal in length to
the prior one, publishing the exciting new
research regarding the effectiveness of change
therapy for homosexuals. We stated that such
knowledge is necessary for professional competence
in working with this population. We also sent her
additional research, along with the Michael
Johnston videotape, "It's Not Gay."
The journal's editor, Karen Wampler, replied,
"A review of the videotape you sent as well as the
two reprints of articles published in
Psychological Reports and the five fact sheets
from the National Association for Research and
Therapy of Homosexuality that you enclosed with
your letter did not provide any evidence that
would change my mind....
"I take responsibility for my decision to not
publish the special section you requested....I
invite you to direct your concerns directly to the
Board of Directors of AAMFT."
Dr. Wampler sent copies of her above letter to the
Board of Directors, including James Morris,
President of AAMFT, Michael Bowers, Executive
Director of AAMFT, Froma Walsh, Former Editor,
JMFT and Robert-Jay Green, Editor, Special
Section.
I discussed the matter further with the people at
NARTH, and they sent additional published
research--including a copy of a published analysis
of the literature by Warren Throckmorton, Ph.D.
past president of the National Association of
Mental Health Counselors. Dr. Throckmorton's study
of the literature concludes that change is
possible.
NARTH also made the editor aware that both the
American Psychiatric and Psychological
Associations had scheduled symposiums on this
issue.
Additional copies of that information were then
sent to the AAMFT Board, requesting publication of
a section on reorientation therapy.
I also sent my letter to the Family Therapy News.
It was not published, but sent back to the journal
editor, who stated that there was no place for
letters-to-the-editor. It is clear that the AAMFT
will print no opposing viewpoint at this time.
Please join me in taking the responsibility of
promoting publication of research which clarifies
that homosexuals can leave the lifestyle through
change therapy.
You can respectfully request consideration of this
matter, by contacting the following individuals:
Journal Editor:
Dr. Karen Wampler
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Texas Tech University
Marital and Family Therapy Programs
Box 1162
Lubbock, TX 79409-1162
kwampler@cohs2.hs.ttu.edu
AAMFT Board:
James Morris, President,
Michael Bowers, Exec. Dir.
Froma Walsh, PhD, Board member
Robert-Jay Green, PhD, Board member
AAMFT
1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 300,
Washington, D.C. 20005
Updated: 3 September 2008
|
