SAFE-T

SAFE-T – Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy is a term used by the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity to describe explorative therapy for clients with issues around sexuality. It does not imply that categorical change is the goal and in so doing create unrealistic expectations for many clients. Nor does it imply that change which is less than categorical in nature cannot be meaningful and satisfying to clients. It also makes clear that SAFE-T can occur in any number of mainstream therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, by focusing on sexual attractions it avoids the implicit assertion that orientation changes or that orientation as an immutable reality even exists. By stressing therapeutic exploration, the new term accurately conveys that the therapist is not being coercive but merely assisting individuals in a client-centred examination of their sexual attractions

The study published in the Journal of Human Sexuality, 12, 61-86, entitled “Sexual Attraction Fluidity and Well-being in Men: A Therapeutic Outcome Study” can be seen here. The participants were 75 adult male psychotherapy clients (mostly Roman Catholic (42), other Christian denominations and some Muslim (7)) reporting both same-sex attraction experiences (SSAE) and the desire to participate in Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy to achieve sexual attraction fluidity. The study shows, through a more rigorous research design, that persons with unwanted same-sex attraction may reasonably expect to benefit from—and not to be harmed by—their participation in Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy.

Using a quasi-experimental, single-group, longitudinal, repeated measures design, the study evaluates the fluidity of opposite-sex attraction experiences (OSAE), same-sex attraction experiences (SSAE), sexual attraction identity (SAI), and well-being. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the SSAE, OSAE, and SAI data obtained at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, with results showing statistically significant fluidity of all three factors. SSAE decreased, OSAE increased, and SAI moved toward heterosexual identity. The study specifically used Reintegrative Therapy™ as their method, taking clients from Joseph Nicolosi Jr’s practice ‘The Breakthrough Clinic’.

Continued warnings by the American Psychological Association and other mental health associations against clients using SAFE-T are misinformed, unprofessional, and even unethical in terms of meeting the legitimate self-determination needs of clients. Similarly, the past failure of the American Psychological Association to instruct those engaged in anti-SAFE-T legislation advocacy that research does not document that SAFE-T is harmful, and that all mainstream psychotherapy has a risk of harm, is no longer acceptable, The present study shows, through a more rigorous research design, that persons with unwanted same-sex attraction may reasonably expect to benefit from—and not to be harmed by—their participation in SAFE-T

Carolyn Pela joins us in this webinar as we reflect on the outcomes of this study.

Date: Thursday, January 20th 2022

Time: 7pm GMT (12pm Mountain Time)

Dr. Carolyn Pela is an Assistant Dean and the Head of the School of Arts, Sciences & Humanities at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, Arizona.  She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT approved supervisor, serving as a mental health clinician for over 35 years. She has specialized in helping people explore sexual attraction fluidity and to challenge eating disorders using Narrative Therapy as her primary model. Conducting Narrative Therapy workshops internationally, Dr. Pela is available for 1-3 day clinical group training. Her recent publication with co-author Dr. Philip Sutton, Sexual Attraction Fluidity and Well-being in Men: A Therapeutic Outcome Study will be the primary topic of the presentation.