TORONTO, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Mental health professionals should avoid telling clients they can change their sexual orientation through therapy, psychologists said at a meeting in Toronto.
Practitioners should advise parents, guardians, young people and their families to avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder, the American Psychological Association said in a resolution. Instead, people can seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth," the resolution said.
The resolution was approved by the APA governing council of representatives at its annual convention in Toronto.
"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," Judith M. Glassgold, chairwoman of the task force which presented a report that examined the efficacy of "reparative therapy," or sexual orientation change efforts, said in a statement.
