Bioethical guidelines of sexual-attraction change in psychotherapy

This article reexamines ethical and scientific objections to psychotherapeutic interventions that alter clients' unwanted sexual attractions. While major mental-health organizations label such interventions as controversial, ineffective, and ethically problematic, recent studies demonstrate that some interventions can lead to changes in individuals' sexual attractions. These interventions significantly differ from the therapies criticized by these organizations. This article examines these criticisms and responds to them, identifies neuroscientific mechanisms that appear to be responsible for sexual attraction changes, and proposes a framework for ethically implementing evidence-based, client-led interventions that influence sexual attraction.