Our code of ethics
Professional Ethics for the Treatment of Men and Women with Same-Sex Attraction
“The psychologist should respect and assist patients seeking treatment who feel conflicted about their homosexual orientation or behavior and their religious beliefs, or fear detachment from their social or cultural environment. They should also ensure the patient’s voluntary choice to engage in treatment, free from external pressures.”
(Adapted from Position paper of the Union of Psychologists in Israel, November 2011)
There are individuals who are grappling with same-sex attraction and seeking to understand their situation. Many of them desire change and are actively seeking treatment.
We firmly believe that as a society, it is our responsibility to support them in accessing the help they need. This treatment must be conducted with the utmost care and in adherence to a code of ethics.
This code of ethics must be explicit and applicable to all mental health treatments. Given the sensitivity surrounding sexual orientation, it is imperative that we emphasize the importance of adhering to these guidelines. We maintain that therapists from all backgrounds should align themselves with these principles.
We urge all therapists to abide by this ethical code, and caution patients against seeking treatment from professionals who do not adhere to these guidelines.
1
The primary objective of the treatment is the patient’s wellbeing. Consequently, all other treatment objectives must align with this goal. These objectives encompass understanding the patient’s sexual orientation and its’ origins, exploring potential for change, and more. The treatment objectives will always be determined with the patient, in accordance with their wishes, as is customary in any medical agreement.
2
The therapist must ensure that the patient is undertaking treatment voluntarily and that the patient is under no external pressure.
Treating individuals under the age of 18 requires full parental consent. Moreover, the therapist must ensure that the patient is seeking help voluntarily, and that no one is forcing him or her to undergo treatment.
3
The therapist must refrain from creating illusions or providing false representations, making it clear to the patient that the question of success in treatment depends on many factors and is not guaranteed in every situation. The therapist will make it clear that the treatment, as in any emotional or mental procedure, is not easy and that he or she cannot guarantee that the goal of the treatment will be fully achieved.
4
Before commencing treatment, the therapist must address the sensitive nature of treating same-sex attraction. The therapist must provide the patient with a comprehensive overview of the various opinions regarding the effectiveness of such treatment.
5
The treatment will be exclusively administered by highly skilled and experienced professionals.
6
The therapist will employ only recognized therapeutic techniques accepted within the field of psychotherapy. The therapist will refrain from using aggressive or offensive methods as they are not considered legitimate therapeutic tools in this or any other field.
7
As with any other treatment, it is essential for the therapist to deeply respect the patient’s choices and requests, even if they deviate from the initial agreement. The therapist must provide emotional support and refrain from terminating ongoing treatment as long as the patient expresses willingness to continue, whether or not the therapist agrees with the patient’s personal views, decisions, or judgments.
