Landmark Study Shows Trauma Treatment Significantly Alters Sexual Attraction
Surprising results challenge our assumptions about how fluid sexual attractions are. A new large-scale, peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Human Sexuality demonstrates that sexual attraction fluidity exploration in therapy significantly decreases unwanted sexual behaviors while improving psychological well-being.
Researchers examined 75 adult males who reported same-sex attractions and wished to explore their sexual attraction fluidity. Participants worked with certified therapists using Reintegrative Therapy, a treatment method that seeks to identify and resolve past traumatic memories.
“Actively attempting to change one’s sexuality might interfere with this process. Instead, we encourage clients to resolve memories they identify as being traumatic. As we support them through this journey, we let whatever happens naturally happen,” said Dr. Joseph Nicolosi Jr., a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the Reintegrative Therapy Association, a nonprofit scientific organization.
The study assessed the participants’ sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – all of which demonstrated changes. On average, participants demonstrated significant decreases in psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality. They also showed significant overall increases in measures of well-being.
“Rather than using therapy to change sexuality, this therapy treats traumatic memories. Sexuality changes are a byproduct,” Nicolosi says. He points to a pilot study published in the Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, which explored the successful treatment of binge eating using an identical treatment method. Nicolosi added, “Most therapists will not offer clients sexual attraction fluidity exploration because they’ve been told there is not enough research into its safety or efficacy. Now we know, thanks to this new research, that such an approach is both safe and effective.”
“My therapist never tried to get me to change my sexuality, or who I was attracted to, but instead helped me to process traumatic memories from my past that had brought me shame and fear,” said one client, a 30-year-old male with unwanted same-sex attractions.
“It was difficult to work through my memories, but after some time, I started noticing my attractions beginning to shift. It has been several months since I stopped my Reintegrative Therapy and the changes I experienced have remained. My attractions to other men have decreased significantly, and my attractions to women have increased,” he concluded.
The principal investigator for the study was Dr. Carolyn Pela, professor and head of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities at Arizona Christian University. The study’s co-author was Dr. Philip M. Sutton, a licensed psychologist and previous editor of the Journal of Human Sexuality.
The full peer-reviewed study is available here. The binge eating pilot study is available here.
About the Reintegrative Therapy Association: The Reintegrative Therapy Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes the highest standards of excellence and integrity in Reintegrative Therapy. The association’s mission is to educate the public and train professional therapists about this important form of therapy, which is a specific combination of established, evidence-based treatment interventions. The Reintegrative Therapy Association believes that its clients deserve the same rights and freedoms as anyone else: to have a therapist who understands, respects and supports them in their journey.
