Warren Throckmorton

E. Warren Throckmorton is an associate professor of Psychology at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania. He is also a Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy at Grove City College's Center for Vision and Values. He is a nationally known counselor and psychology professor, best recognized for his research and writing regarding sexual orientation and religious conflicts. In professional counseling circles, he is also known for his promotion of mental health counseling as a clinical mental health profession.Fact|date=April 2008

Throckmorton's academic work has been published by journals of the American Psychological Association, the American Mental Health Counseling Association and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Throckmorton is past-president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and is past-chair of the Ethics Committee. For six years, Throckmorton served on the National Provider Advisory Board of Magellan Behavioral Healthcare, the largest behavioral healthcare company in the world. In 2004, he wrote and produced the documentary, I Do Exist about sexual orientation change. In 2005 he produced a shortened version called Sexual Orientation: Is Change Possible. [ [http://www.drthrockmorton.com/idoexist.asp Throckmorton's Site] ] [ [http://www.soundclick.com/storeV1/shoppingcartinfo.cfm?bandID=103144&productID=3267 SoundClick's music store - CDs and Merchandise ] ] Throckmorton has appeared on the O'Reilly Factor, FOX News Live, CNN, Prime Time America and numerous other TV and radio talk shows. His columns have been published by over 100 newspapers nationwide. [ [http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061119/23540.htm Unprotected: How Universities Can Be Hazardous to Student Health| Christianpost.com ] ] [ [http://wthrockmorton.com/the-real-saint-nick/ The Real Saint Nick — Warren Throckmorton ] ] His research interests include sexual orientation, anti-bullying policies, abstinence education and mental health service delivery and financing. He runs a personal blog. [ [http://www.wthrockmorton.com/ A College Psychology Professor’s Observations About Culture, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, and Religious Issues — Warren Throckmorton ] ]

Education

Warren Throckmorton received his B.A. in Psychology in June, 1979 from Cedarville College, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University in May, 1982, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Community Counseling from Ohio University in June 1992. [http://www.drthrockmorton.com/webvita.pdf]

Research

Throckmorton is best knownFact|date=April 2008 for his work on Sexual Identity Therapy, which is endorsed by American Psychological Association past president, Nicholas Cummings, and psychiatrist Robert L. Spitzer.cite news
url = http://wthrockmorton.com/2007/06/18/la-times-article-features-ex-gay-debate-and-sexual-identity-therapy
title = New ground in debate on 'curing' gays
last = Simon
first = Stephanie
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = 2007-06-18
accessdate = 2007-10-29] It is a set of ethical standards for treating clients with sexual identity issues that is intended to be usable, practical and respectful. Together with his colleague, Mark Yarhouse of Regent University and the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity, Throckmorton developed guidelines for practice with clients who experience sexual identity conflicts and desire therapeutic support for resolution. [ [http://www.regent.edu/acad/schcou/facultystaff/fac_bio/yarhouse.htm School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University - Psychology Faculty Bio - Dr. Yarhouse ] ] [ [http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/ ISSI ] ] These recommendations aim to provide conceptual and empirical support for clinical interventions leading to sexual identity outcomes that respect client personal values, religious beliefs, and sexual feelings. [cite news
url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070419/26956_New_Paradigm_Helps_Gays_with_Conflicting_Religious_Values.htm
title=New Paradigm Helps Gays with Conflicting Religious Values
first=Lillian
last=Kwon
publisher=Christian Post Reporter
date=Apr. 19 2007] Its purpose is to help patients line up their sexual identity with their beliefs and values. Therapy involves four phases: (1) assessment, (2) advanced or expanded informed consent, (3) psychotherapy, and (4) social integration of a valued sexual identity.cite web
url = http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/?page_id=13
title = Frequently Asked Questions
publisher = Regent University: Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity
accessdate = 2007-10-29]

Throckmorton disagrees with the claim that the American Psychological Association's position is that all efforts to align beliefs and sexuality are harmful. Throckmorton states that these organizations oppose therapies that take the stance that all gays must enter treatment because homosexuality is a mental disorder to be cured. Throckmorton believes that any broad statement which implies that seeking to live in accord with one's beliefs is harmful to be unproven.

Throckmorton has stated: "I believe that sexual orientation is a murky concept and fluid but I am not a reparative therapist. I would label what I do as sexual identity therapy since I attempt to help a person integrate a sexual identity that is consistent with their total personal identity." Throckmorton has written two articles showing that it is misleading to use the term "reparative therapy" as a synonym for "reorientation counselling". [cite web|url=http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=4|title=What is Reparative Therapy?|first=Warren|last=Throckmorton|accessdate=2008-06-25] [cite web|url=http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=183|title=I Am Not a Reparative Therapist|first=Warren|last=Throckmorton|accessdate=2008-06-25]

While Throckmorton believes that people can develop same-sex attraction due to difficult personal histories, he does not see homosexuality per se as being a mental or emotional disorder. [ [http://wthrockmorton.blogspot.com/2005/07/love-in-action-on-good-morning-america.html Warren Throckmorton: Love in Action on Good Morning America and beyond: Distortions in the current coverage ] ]

Throckmorton has been involved in controversy over the origins and treatment of variations in gender identity. The Feb. 14, 2008 issue of Christianity Today mentions that he has advised transgendered people who are in agony over their state that their desires do not align with the Bible. “Even if science does determine differentiation in the brain at birth,” Throckmorton says, “even if there are prenatal influences, we can’t set aside teachings of the Bible because of research findings.”

Throckmorton subsequently argued that these comments were quoted "out of context." On his blog, he stated that people should consult physicians, specialists and spiritual advisors in resolving their feelings. If someone decides sexual reassignment violates faith, then this may guide their decisions. [ [http://wthrockmorton.com/2008/02/14/christianity-today-on-the-transgender-moment/ Christianity Today on “The Transgender Moment” — Warren Throckmorton ] ]

Magellan Health Services

In 1999, Throckmorton was invited to serve as a member of the National Provider Advisory Committee (NPAC) with Magellan Health Services. [ [http://www.magellanhealth.com/ Welcome to Magellan Health Services ] ] On February 14, 2005, he was informed by phone by Magellan's chief medical officer, Alex Rodriquez, that he was being fired. Rodriquez followed up his phone call with a terse letter that gave no reason for firing Throckmorton.

When a Washington Times reporter asked why Throckmorton was fired, he was told by company spokesman Erin S. Somers that Throckmorton's views on homosexuality were "potentially controversial" not in "the best interests" of the company. "We made the decision ... out of concern that certain of his publicly expressed views could be potentially controversial to Magellan's stakeholders"."

Throckmorton responded to Rodriquez in a Feb. 16, 2005 letter that pointed out that he is a "champion of client self-determination, a value that I hope would also inform the values of Magellan"." [ [http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=136 DrThrockmorton.com ] ] Throckmorton also wrote: "It is hard for me to believe that Magellan is best served by reducing diversity of perspective on a board as strategic as NPAC. I invite you to bring to me any concerns you have about my views. I further invite those who offered criticism of my views to approach me directly to get an accurate understanding"."

A spokesman for Magellan told the Times that Throckmorton's video, "I Do Exist" about ex-gays, had stirred up controversy among LGBT groups. "There is a high percentage of gay men in the behavioral health world, and Warren's views are considered a threat"," said a spokesman who wished to remain anonymous.Fact|date=April 2008

Many groups and individuals contacted Magellan to advocate for the reinstatement of Throckmorton. In response to resulting controversy, Throckmorton was rehired to his former position. On April 20, 2005, he received a call from Magellan's chief medical officer Alex Rodriguez, inviting him to rejoin the company's National Professional Advisory Council. [ [http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/4/afa/222005b.asp American Family Association - AgapePress news ] ]

Throckmorton believes the move to reinstate him may have been triggered by the hundreds of phone calls and e-mail messages Magellan received from conservative activists, employer groups, self-described former homosexuals, and other supporters. In his view the result, "is that a very positive statement has come out of this from the company -- that a person has a right to explore a variety of therapies when they're grappling with sexual orientation issues"."Fact|date=April 2008 He believes this change of heart sends a message to those the mental health organization exists to serve, particularly those who struggle with unwanted sexual feelings.Fact|date=April 2008

American Counselling Association

In 2008, Throckmorton assembled a coalition of over 400 counselors who oppose a ruling made by the American Counseling Association (ACA) that members must not help homosexual clients change their sexual orientation. Throckmorton and other counselors criticised a ruling from the association concerning clients who seek help with sexual orientation issues. [ [http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56702 Counselors ordered to argue for homosexuality ] ] Throckmorton questioned the organization's policy that requires that clients need to be met with a "gay affirmative" response, and if a client insists on seeking such treatment, a counselor who even refers a client to anyone offering conversion therapy could be violating the association's ethical guidelines.

Throckmorton wrote a letter (which was signed by hundreds of other counselors) noting that the ACA Ethics Committee opinion in question "is prejudicial toward clients and counselors who hold traditional beliefs and values regarding sexuality." [ [http://wthrockmorton.com/2008/02/15/i-think-aca-violated-its-policies-so-i-complained/ I think ACA violated its policies so I complained — Warren Throckmorton ] ] The letter said, "We write because we believe the ACA opinion takes a side against people of conservative and traditional beliefs about sexuality, a domain where social and professional consensus is not clear." It also noted that the ethics committee stated as fact that: "Conversion therapy as a practice is a religious, not psychologically-based, practice. The premise of the treatment is to change a client's sexual orientation. The treatment may include techniques based in Christian faith-based methods such as the use of 'testimonials, mentoring, prayer, Bible readings, and Christian weekend workshops.'"

The ethics committee, instead, demanded the use of "treatments" endorsed by the "association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling," which it described as "a division of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association."

Throckmorton's letter noted, "Essentially, the entire opinion discourages counselors and clients from attempting to do anything about homosexual desires except affirm them." The letter went on to say that such narrow opinions "stigmatize religious people who might use testimonials, mentoring, prayer, Bible reading and Christian teachings to enable them to live sexually in ways which conform to their beliefs … The teachings of many religions discourage homosexual practice (not Christianity alone) and for the ACA to isolate these practices and in essence to discourage these teachings is prejudicial". Throckmorton argued that the ethics committee opinion clearly makes a statement "of preference for one religious belief regarding homosexuality over another" and in doing so violates the ACA's policy.

Throckmorton argues that Christian counselors and the people who receive their counseling should not be penalized for abiding by their beliefs and that people have the right to choose the counselor they want, and counselors have the right to suggest what they believe will help. Professional freedom of conscience a crucial element in ensuring that clients receive the help they need. [http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/aca-complaint.doc] American Counseling Association President, Brian Canfield spoke for the ACA in a letter to Throckmorton on March 19, 2008. Dr. Canfield promised that the ACA Ethics Committe would review Throckmorton's complaints, saying, "to what extent a counselor may ethically engage in providing counseling services to a client who expresses conflict and dissonance over their sexual attraction/orientation with their personal, cultural or religious beliefs and values is, in my opinion, a very legitimate question which needs to be clarified." [ [http://wthrockmorton.com/2008/04/01/aca-president-canfield-promises-ethics-committee-review/ ] ]

ee also

Conversion therapy

References

External links

* [http://www.wthrockmorton.com Throckmorton's blog]
* [http://www.drthrockmorton.com/default.asp Throckmorton's website]