New guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) attempt to outline therapy practices for counselors who have patients with same-sex attractions.
Dr. Joe Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic, said the organization has overlooked years of clinical research that shows sexual orientation is changeable through therapy.
"The APA is really failing to not only represent science, which is its primary responsibility," he said, "but it's also failing to inform people."
The guidelines do allow for difference in religious beliefs, but Jeff Johnston, gender issues analyst for Focus on the Family, said they don't go far enough. He said the APA is starting with the false assumption that homosexuality is normal and positive.
"There are a lot of people out there who haven't just changed their sexual identity or behavior, but their attractions have also changed," he explained. "I'm one of those people."
The document also ignores many pathologies associated with homosexuality, which provide motivation for some to seek change.
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