NEW WEBSITE AS OF JULY 28, 2009

FOR CURRENT INFORMATION REGARDING SEXUAL IDENTITY THERAPY, PLEASE GO TO:

Http://www.sitframework.com

Things you shouldn't hear in sexual identity therapy

We are often asked how sexual identity therapy is different than reorientation therapy and gay affirmative therapy. Here are some things you might hear in either one of those two approaches, but should not hear in SIT.

To heal homosexuality, one must relive past wounds.

Same-sex attracted people are touch deprived, so you need to receive healthy touch in therapy in order to change.

Homosexuality is a gender identity disorder.

You were born gay and you should accept that as who you are.

Experts agree that people are gay because ______.

Anyone can completely be free of homosexual attractions if they are motivated.

If you are attracted to the same sex, you are not trusting God enough.

Coming out of the closet is the only way to be really well-adjusted.

Your religion is homophobic and heterosexist, you should consider changing your church.

Feel free to post other sayings you should not hear in sexual identity therapy.

On the use of the sexual identity therapy framework

It has come to our attention that some websites have hosted the SIT framework without our permission.

The most current version of the SIT framework is here and supportive bloggers, and professionals should link to this site. We require that others who might like to host the pdf file get our first.

Please direct questions to Warren Throckmorton at warrenthrockmorton@gmail.com.

Sexual Identity Therapy Video

Part 1




Part 2

Sexual identity therapy framework to be reviewed

Please leave comments here via the comment feature. Extensive comments on the SIT Framework can be directed to Warren Throckmorton at ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu and/or Mark Yarhouse at markyar@regent.edu.

Sexual Identity Therapy Framework to Be Reviewed

The Sexual Identity Therapy Framework, authored by Warren Throckmorton and Mark Yarhouse, will be reviewed in 2008 for possible revision. Proposed as a means to help counselors work with clients who experience value conflict surrounding homosexual attractions, the Framework is endorsed by Nicholas Cummings, the father of managed behavioral healthcare and Robert Spitzer, the architect of modern psychiatric diagnosis. The framework respects diversity of sexual orientation and religious practice. The authors are asking for public and professional comment on the Framework though January and February, 2008.

Interested persons can review the Framework at http://www.sexualidentity.blogspot.com. One may leave comment there. Therapists interested in a registry of therapists who adhere to the Framework should visit, www.sexualidentityinstitute.org.

Selected endorsements:

I have reviewed the sexual identity framework written by Warren Throckmorton and Mark Yarhouse. This framework provides a very necessary outline to help therapists address the important concerns of clients who are in conflict over their homosexual attractions. The work of Drs. Throckmorton and Yarhouse transcend polarized debates about whether gays can change their sexual orientation. Rather, this framework helps therapists work with clients to craft solutions tailored to their individual situations and personal beliefs and values. I support this framework and hope it is widely implemented.

Robert L. Spitzer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, NY. Dr. Spitzer was Chairman of the committee that developed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and Emotional Disorders, 3rd Edition and 3rd Edition (Revised).

Drs. Throckmorton and Yarhouse have brilliantly resolved contention in psychotherapy by providing the field with unbiased guidelines that are responsive to scientific evidence, are sensitive to professional practice, and which restore patient determination in choosing his/her goals in psychotherapy.

Dr. Nicholas Cummings, PhD, ScD is Distinguished Chair in Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Cummings is the President of the Foundation for Behavioral Health and Chairman of the Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings Foundation, Inc. He was the founding CEO of American Biodyne (now Magellan Behavioral Care). He is also the former President of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Cummings was the founder of the four campuses of the California School of Professional Psychology, the National Academies of Practice, and the American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association. He was the former Executive Director of the Mental Research Institute. Dr. Cummings is the co-editor with Rogers Wright of Destructive Trends in Mental Health.

LA Times references sexual identity therapy framework

A recent LA Times article by Stephanie Simon references the sexual identity therapy framework as providing guidelines for the new paradigm of helping people with conflicts over sexual orientation.

Robert Spitzer endorses sexual identity therapy framework

Dr. Spitzer recently wrote in an email:

I have reviewed the sexual identity framework written by Warren Throckmorton and Mark Yarhouse. This framework provides a very necessary outline to help therapists address the important concerns of clients who are in conflict over their homosexual attractions. The work of Drs. Throckmorton and Yarhouse transcend polarized debates about whether gays can change their sexual orientation. Rather, this framework helps therapists work with clients to craft solutions tailored to their individual situations and personal beliefs and values. I support this framework and hope it is widely implemented.

Robert L. Spitzer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, NY. Co-editor of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and Emotional Disorders, 3rd Edition and 3rd Edition (Revised).

News Release: Sexual Identity Therapy Framework

Feel free to offer comments...

News Release

New Paradigm to Help People with Sexual Orientation Conflicts

"Drs. Throckmorton and Yarhouse have brilliantly resolved contention in psychotherapy by providing the field with unbiased guidelines that are responsive to scientific evidence, are sensitive to professional practice, and which restore patient determination in choosing his/her goals in psychotherapy." -- Dr. Nicholas Cummings, past president, American Psychological Association

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 16 -- When Rev. Ted Haggard's ongoing struggle with homosexuality became public last November, the nation's attention turned to how people resolve conflicts between strongly held personal beliefs and homosexuality. Now, two prominent clinicians have crafted a framework, endorsed by an American Psychological Association past-president, that will help counselors and clients address such conflicts in order to achieve a valued sexual identity. This new paradigm is authored by Warren Throckmorton, Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy with the Center for Vision and Values at Grove City College and Mark Yarhouse, Professor of Psychology at Regent University and Director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity.

The framework, titled "Sexual Identity Therapy: Practice Framework for Managing Sexual Identity Conflicts" have been endorsed by American Psychological Association past-president Dr. Nicholas Cummings and other prominent clinicians. A partial list is available on the website or by request.

Why the Sexual Identity Therapy Framework is Needed

Dr. Throckmorton says, "We believe the mental health professions could provide more specific guidance about situations where clients experience religious and value conflicts over sexual attractions to the same sex. We don't know what causes homosexual behavior for any given individual nor do we know how much, if any, change in attractions might be possible but what we can do is help clients to pursue lives they value. In our application of this paradigm with clients, we have found clients to have high levels of satisfaction with this approach."

"People who struggle with sexual identity concerns ought to be able to meet with mental health professionals who can assist them to reach a place of congruence in their lives. We believe this framework provides clinicians with a general map, so that they can work collaboratively with their clients to navigate their concerns and ultimately arrive at a place of congruence, so that clients' behavior and identity lines up with their beliefs and values," explains Dr. Yarhouse.

The sexual identity paradigm of Throckmorton and Yarhouse is crafted with the recognition that we do not know precisely what causes the individual direction of sexual orientation nor can we say to what degree sexual orientation can change. Thus, therapists should not assume why clients have the attractions they do but rather conduct individualized assessments. Furthermore, instead of focusing on change or uncritical acceptance of undesired attractions, therapists strategically work with people to develop a life consistent with personal values and beliefs.

Dr. Cummings says, "Drs. Throckmorton and Yarhouse have brilliantly resolved contention in psychotherapy by providing the field with unbiased guidelines that are responsive to scientific evidence, are sensitive to professional practice, and which restore patient determination in choosing his/her goals in psychotherapy."

Sexual Identity Therapy Discussion Group

Mental health professionals who affirm the sexual identity therapy framework are invited to join the Sexual Identity Therapy Discussion Group. This group is an online forum devoted to ongoing development and implementation of the sexual identity therapy framework and related issues. Mental health professions desiring to join may do so at www.sexualidentity.blogspot.com or by writing Warren Throckmorton, PhD, co-moderator, at ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu.

Warren Throckmorton, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychology at Grove City College, and Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy in Grove City College's Center for Vision and Values. He produced, I Do Exist, a documentary about sexual identity.

Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Regent University, where he also directs the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity (www.sexualidentityinstitute.org).