ARE WE THERE YET? FACULTY MEMBERS’ BELIEFS AND TEACHING PRACTICES RELATED TO THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL CLIENTS

The purpose of this study was to explore (a) faculty members’ beliefs about the ethics of

reparative therapy and referring lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients, (b) course con-
tent related to reparative therapy and referral of LGB clients, and (c) positions taken by

programs associated with reparative therapy and referral of LGB clients. A total of 117 fac-
ulty members from accredited family therapy programs completed an online survey for this

study. While the vast majority of faculty members reported that reparative therapy is unethi-
cal, there was less agreement related to the ethics of referring LGB clients, which may high-
light the need for clearer ethical guidelines to regulate this potentially harmful practice.

Implications for clinical training and future research are discussed.