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CAMFT Statement on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE)
Approved March 9, 2012
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
reaffirms its respect of human diversity, including gender identity,
gender expression, and sexual orientation.i CAMFT affirms
that same-sex sexual attractions, feelings, and behaviors are normal and
positive variations of human sexuality regardless of sexual orientation
identity.ii
CAMFT acknowledges that current cultural prejudice about same-sex
sexual orientation compels some clients to seek out sexual orientation
change due to personal, family, or religious conflicts, or to better fit
into some cultural and religious norms. CAMFT is concerned about
children and youth, who are especially vulnerable to harm and who lack
adequate legal protection from involuntary or coercive treatment and
whose parents and guardians may not have accurate information to make
informed decisions regarding the child’s development and
well-being.iii
Like the American Psychological Association, CAMFT asserts the
following:
- CAMFT encourages mental health professionals to prevent bias from
their own spiritual, religious, or non-religious beliefs from taking
precedence over professional practice and standards or scientific
findings in their work.iv
- CAMFT advises mental health professionals that do provide assistance
to those who seek sexual orientation change, to do so by utilizing
affirmative multiculturally competent and client-centered approaches
that recognize the negative impact of social stigma on sexual minorities
and balance ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence (sic),
justice, and respect for people’s rights and
dignity.v
CAMFT further recommends that individuals ask direct questions about
the mental health provider’s beliefs about same-sex sexual
attraction and the effectiveness of their proposed treatments before
engaging in a professional relationship.
This statement does not modify or amend any provision of the CAMFT
Code of Ethics, or the findings and recommendations regarding SOCE
issued by the CAMFT Ethics Committee, as adopted by the Board of
Directors on January 9, 2011.vi
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i CAMFT Statement: CAMFT Issues Statement Supporting Marriage
Equality
ii American Psychological
Association Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual
Orientation Distress and Change Efforts (2009)
iii Id.
iv Id.
v Id.
vi CAMFT Board Adopts Recommendations of Ethics Committee:
Does not Adopt Proposed Statement on SOCE
| Statement on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts SOCE |
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California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists |
7901 Raytheon Road, San Diego, CA 92111-1606
Phone: (858) 292-2638 | Fax: (858) 292-2666
©Copyright 2012 California Association
of Marriage and Family Therapists
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