Evergreen International - Therapy

Therapy

"Evergreen does not advocate any particular form of therapy," but does provide suggestions on how to choose a therapist and information on individual and group therapy. Evergreen states that some people have lessened their same sex attractions by utilizing the following therapies: gender wholeness therapy, reparative therapy, reorientation therapy and re-education therapy. While some of these therapies offer to eliminate same-sex attractions, Evergreen makes clear that "therapy will likely not be a cure in the sense of erasing all homosexual feelings." The LDS church has stated that it does not have a position on "scientific questions" such as the cause of homosexuality. Evergreen follows this stance. It should be noted that most major healthcare organizations (including the American Medical Association, American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many others) have indicated that based on empirical evidence, forms of therapy which attempt to alter sexual orientation are at best benign and at worst powerfully damaging. A recent study conducted by researchers at Utah State University and Brigham Young University surveyed 1635 same-sex attracted Mormons or ex-Mormons. This study found that 65% of respondents attempted to change their sexual orientation through a variety of means (including reparative and conversion therapies). Greater than 80% of respondents indicated that any attempt to change their orientation by the treating therapist was either harmful or severely harmful. Most respondents reported the best outcomes when therapists helped them 1) "Helped consider accepting sexual orientation, and 2) were "open and supportive of decision."