Toward a New Model of Treatment of Homosexuality

A review of the literature of outcome studies in the psychoanalytic or behavioral treatment of homosexuality reveals limited results when "heterosexual shift" is the goal. Recently, however, a growing body of empirical knowledge has accumulated that challenges the illness or maladaptive model of homosexuality. Consequently, a new model has been emerging that is designed to assist homosexuals to recognize, accept, and value their sexual identity and to help them adjust to this identity in a predominatly heterosexual society. Unfortunately, only a few studies exist that examine the results of this new approach.