Mental Health Therapy & Homosexuality

We all have one thing or another that we struggle with; either in personal or professional life.  When I started family therapy, my greatest struggle was ‘therapy and homosexuality’.  I grew up in a society where homosexuality was not a household word. To be honest, I never met anyone who was a homosexual until I came to CA ten years ago. Or, even if there were, it was not something that people could come out in the open and declare to the public.  As time went by and interacting with people, I have come to realize as a person, a Christian and as Marriage Therapist, that people first, then their sexual orientation second. This attitude has helped me a great deal in my profession and to look at people differently and to respect their choices.

Focus on the family has a different approach.  Focus on the Family is dedicated to defending the honor, dignity and value of the two sexes as created in God’s image – intentionally male and female – each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships.

Sexuality is glorious gifts from God – meant to be offered back to Him either in marriage for procreation, union and mutual delight or in celibacy for undivided devotion to Christ.

• Homosexual behavior violates God’s intentional design for gender and sexuality.
• While we do not believe an individual typically “chooses” his or her same sex-attractions, we do believe that those who struggle with unwanted same-sex sexual temptation can choose to steward their impulses in a way that aligns with their faith convictions.
• We affirm the Scriptural teaching that homosexuals can and do change their sexual identity (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
• We support counseling and the availability of professional therapy options for unwanted homosexual attractions and behavior.
• We do not endorse or promote any one particular religious, psychiatric or psychological approach as the “one and only” way to go about changing same-sex attractions and behaviors.

Just as there are many paths that may lead a person to experience same-sex attractions, there are likewise multiple ways out. Thus, individuals and their helping professionals are called to discern and pursue the most appropriate approach that best enables them to steward their sexuality in alignment with their chosen values.

For more info on Focus on the family: Overview  Cause for Concern (Same-Sex Counseling) Talking Points (Same-Sex Counseling)  Next Steps / Related Information