A Step in the Right Direction

A while back, I a href=”http://drhelen.blogspot.com/2006/03/if-youre-gay-you-better-stay-that-way.html”wrote a post /aon the possibility that the APA would consider therapists treating those who were distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions as unethical. However, it now appears that patient autonomy and self determination a href=”http://www.narth.com/docs/koocher.html”has finally been acknowledged/a as more important than political correctness by the APA:br /br /blockquoteNew Orleans, August 12, 2006 – Surrounded by President-Elect Sharon Stephens Brehm, CEO Norman Anderson and other prominent members of the American Psychological Association (APA), President Gerald P. Koocher voiced support for the treatment of those distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions. br /br /In a Town Hall Meeting dedicated to open exchange between members and APA leaders, Dr. Koocher fielded a question from NARTH President Joseph Nicolosi about APA’s position on the treatment of unwanted homosexuality. br /br /Highlighting the importance of client autonomy and self-determination, Dr. Koocher stated, “APA has no conflict with psychologists who help those distressed by unwanted homosexual attraction.” /blockquotebr /br /Dr. Koocher, the APA president, also acknowleged a href=”http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct06/pc.html”in an article in the APA monitor /athat some studies showed that women (shockingly!) can be capable of acting out physical aggression in equal numbers to men.br /br /blockquoteSeveral studies of domestic violence have suggested that males and females in relationships have an equal likelihood of acting out physical aggression, although differing in tactics and potential for causing injury (e.g., women assailants will more likely throw something, slap, kick, bite, or punch their partner, or hit them with an object, while males will more likely beat up their partners, and choke or strangle them). In addition, data show that that intimate partner violence rates among heterosexual and gay and lesbian teens do not differ significantly./blockquotebr /br /It’s nice to see that the APA is listening to other points of view and is doing the right thing instead of bowing to political correctness.