Homosexuality and Mental Health - Essay Example

Critical Essay Name Institution Date Critical essay The article generally talks about how mental health practitioners have approached the issue of changing the sexual behavior of gays and lesbians. According to psychiatrists, homosexuality and lesbianism are mental disorders, which can be altered through counseling. From a survey questionnaire research on this issue, at least 4% of the total practitioners sample agrees that if approached by a client who wishes to change his/her sexual behavior, they are in a position to assist. At the same time, 17% of the same sample admitted having assisted more than one client to change his/her sexual behavior. Nevertheless, while majority of health practitioners are of the view that people who wish to change their sexual orientation should be assisted, only a few minority of the practitioners are willing to offer such services through counseling and wish such services should be made available for the interested parties at will. About thirty professionals who had been offering gay and lesbian treatment for a period of 30 years agree that, their medical counterparts had been having mixed opinions and views concerning their practice. Participants from four psychiatric organizations (BPS, BACP, UKCP &RCP) in the UK seem to unanimously agree that the issues of gay and lesbians are all a form of mental health problem. A total of 1848 participants who were drawn randomly from the four psychiatric organizations were mailed questionnaires so that they give response and take on the matter. Only 71% of the participants’ response was analyzed with 21% of the said percentage having participated in this treatment or are willing to offer there services if approached by a client. This clearly depicts that, majority of the psychotherapists in practice believe that such orientation is a mental illness and can be altered by a psychiatrist (Patterson & D'Augelli, 2012). On a hypothetical question of whether they were ready to change the sexual orientation of a client, it shows that only 4% of the participants would attempt the treatment and not only to change the clients’ sexual orientation but also make them to accept their sexual status. To justify the thesis of this research, out of 222 professionals interviewed, 72% agreed that redirecting homosexual or lesbian feelings treatment are available with 28% disputing such practice. This means that, the 72% segment could be actively or passively involved in sexual orientation treatment with only a small percentage of their colleagues in the same profession barely having any idea of such treatment. Affirmative answers to the thesis of this research came from all the four professional groups with BACP counselors and psychotherapist leading the pack in affirmative response (Engelhardt & Caplan, 1987). If 17% of the participants admitted that they have at one point assisted someone with lesbian or homosexual feelings to change their sexual orientation, then it means that the practice is rife and active, only that it is done on an undercover strategy. This is because out of 413 patients who were described by the therapist who responded to the questionnaire, 52% of patients are seriously consulting psychiatrist services on private mission on regular basis where only 28% of those who were counseled went their way not to attend any further treatment (Holland, 2004). It is therefore imminent that, the few psychiatrist who are ready to attend such treatment opt so out of their courage and not profession while those who refuse to carry out this reparative therapy do so because they believe that the idea lack medical justification and poses serious threats to the well-being of the individual seeking the services (Cabaj & Stein, 1996). Further analysis of this article and the responses from the psychotherapy professionals and groups shows that, psychiatrist or counselors who attempt to offer the treatments only do so out of the best interest of the client/patient. But from the view of those who refute the idea of re-directing the feelings of lesbians and gays, they read from the script that reparative treatment has no basis of treatment and is unethical and irrational practice. Also, stringent rules from UKCP and BACP on reparative therapy seem to have kept off some professionals from this practice of converting gays and lesbians to heterosexuals (Dudley, Silove & Gale, 2012). This research also shows that, clients who wish to change their sexual orientation do so out of moral, cultural and religious distress. Therefore, people tend to reduce this distress through psych transgress, which means that the only option is to consult a psychiatrist. From the statistics of clients seeking to redirect their homosexuality or lesbianism, bigger percentage of psychiatrists in all the four psychotherapy groups are willing to assist them accept their sexual affiliation. Very few members in all the four companies would assist them change their sexuality while others will mostly refer them to their senior colleagues who would either assist them in accept their status or redirect their sexual orientation (Engelhardt & Caplan, 1987). Psychiatrists involved in psychological counseling might also encounter difficulties in their practice. This is because some of their clients might have been in a relationship for some time or even married but still seeking the services of reparative treatment. For this case, the most probable advice is to let them continue in their relationships because marriages and relationships in gay and lesbians are rather casual with no clear plans for divorce. This justifies that psychotherapy counseling services should be made available and professionals empowered to carry out this service diligently (Buckner, 2007). From the professionals’ perceptions and referrals of clients to their senior colleagues, it can be deduced that there is no clear guideline of handling reparative treatment. This means that, those who engage in practice are using their long service experience in the sector because. If it would have been a professional approach then each psychiatrist in the industry would be in a position to attend any client who wishes to change to heterosexual at any time without fear of ethical contempt (Patterson & D'Augelli, 2012). Due to the sensitivity of the matter, use of questionnaires was the preferred methodology of research. This means that, psychiatrist, counselors and other professionals who participated were able to give their honest feedback on the sensitive questions anonymously without jeopardizing there careers or embarrassing their clients (Patterson & D'Augelli, 2012). Notably, some of the clients have fallen victims of stigmatization by their communities and religion according to BPS. This is one among the reasons why they consult the services of counseling psychotherapy in order to change to heterosexuals. A part from stigmatization and harassment, self referral by clients to these services have been treated by practitioners as an experts courage move and some do not mind offering their services as long as it does not compromise with their ethical stance. This proves that, the few practitioners who are ready to offer their services do so out of their self determination because historical impact of sexual abuse might have played some part (Cabaj & Stein, 1996). Findings from the research further reveals that majority of the practitioners are of the view of allowing people to change from homosexuals and lesbians to heterosexuals at will. Such statement from a practitioner means that, those in practice are doing it on an undercover design especially considering the World Health Organization policy on such therapies (Holland, 2004). This article serves the fact that, there have been increased cases of gays and lesbians seeking counseling and services of psychiatrist over the time. This means that, medical departments in UK should clearly vet and train more practitioners and persons to offer reparative therapy to clients because it seems all psychiatrists believe the issue is a psychotic disorder. Also, therapeutic treatment is a more sensitive one and requires recognized specialist (Patterson & D'Augelli, 2012). The article forms a relevant study point for medical practitioners who are interested in conducting reparative therapy in future. Nevertheless, the article unearths the evil behind the reparative treatment, which to some extent is prohibited in UK unless for a serous reason. Research shows that all psychiatrist, counselors and psychologists admit having knowledge of changing lesbians and gays to heterosexuals but all through the study, no piece of the article shows evidence or knowledge of successful change of sexual orientation (Dudley, Silove & Gale, 2012). While this article has largely dwelled on views and perception of mental health professionals on lesbian and homosexuality, the research should be extended to the clients/ Patients. Survey questionnaire should be prepared and distributed to a sample population to determine in a bit to determine the homoerotic feelings of individuals and also what would likely make a lesbian or gay seek the services of psychiatrist. From this point, the study shall conclude whether the society itself needs psychiatrists counseling to accept and embrace people with same sex feelings or otherwise so as to reduces incidences of victimization of affected individuals. The questionnaire focused on the article should next time be adjusted to capture the percentage level of trust of reparative therapy among the patients and the extent to which the method has solved clients’ problems. This is because the article failed to address whether psychiatric counseling helped clients/patients change there sexual orientation status (Buckner, 2007). If actually the issue of lesbians and gays is anything to do with mental disorder, as argued upon by medical health professionals then the personnel in medical fraternity should be capacitated so as they can handle the issue without fear of loss of their career or unethical misconduct. This is because even those with such feelings seem to agree that lesbianism and homosexuality is a mental disorder. References Buckner, J. D. (2007). Mental health care for people of diverse backgrounds. Oxford: Radcliffe. Cabaj, R. P., & Stein, T. S. (1996). Textbook of homosexuality and mental health. Washington: American Psychiatric Press. Dudley, M., Silove, D., & Gale, F. (2012). Mental health and human rights: Vision, praxis, and courage. Oxford, U.K: Oxford University Press. Engelhardt, H. T., & Caplan, A. L. (1987). Scientific controversies: Case studies in the resolution and closure of disputes in science and technology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Holland, E. (2004). The nature of homosexuality: Vindication for homosexual activists and the religious right. New York: iUniverse. Patterson, C., & D'Augelli, A. R. (2012). Handbook of psychology and sexual orientation. New York: Oxford University Press. Read More