Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals toward Homosexuality and its Treatment

Abstract

A random sample of 163 professional therapists in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area were surveyed on their attitudes toward treatment of homosexuals, diagnostic categories, and other matters. Results indicated a majority had some (limited) experience with (predominantly male) homosexuals, most would use but few preferred group therapy for homosexuals, treatment goals were mixed, change of sex orientation in treatment was minor, but belief in its possibility widespread; there was considerable disagreement with some diagnostic categories, little support for mandatory treatment, near-unanimity on liberalization of the law, widespread support for non-exclusionary employment policies.