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Sexual Change Therapy: Who Benefits and Why

Lake Charles, LA, USA,Tuesday, April 7, 2026
# **Therapy and Sexual Attraction: What the Research Reveals**

A groundbreaking study has shed new light on the effectiveness of therapy aimed at altering sexual attraction, uncovering surprising differences between men and women in how they respond.

## **The Study: Who Participated and What Was Measured?**
Researchers analyzed responses from **183 adults**, with a clear gender split:
- **70% men**
- **30% women**

The study compared two groups:
1. Those who underwent **therapy specifically targeting same-sex attraction**
2. Those who received **general therapy** (not focused on sexual orientation)

Key metrics tracked included:
✔ **Changes in same-sex attraction**
✔ **Depression levels**
✔ **Self-esteem**
✔ **Social life improvements**
✔ **Substance use patterns**

## **The Surprising Findings: Gender Differences in Response**

### **Women Showed Greater Shifts in Attraction**
- **88% of women** with high same-sex attraction reported a **significant drop** after targeted therapy.
- Only **39% of men** experienced a similar reduction.
- Therapy designed to change attraction had a **96% success rate in women** (though with modest statistical certainty).
- For men, **attraction-focused therapy actually reduced the likelihood of a major shift** in same-sex feelings.

General Therapy Helped Both Genders—But Differently

Even when therapy wasn’t specifically about sexual orientation, both men and women saw declines in same-sex attraction:

  • Nearly all women (regardless of therapy type) reported a noticeable decrease.
  • Men benefited, but to a lesser extent.

Mental Health Improvements: A Broader Impact

Therapy—whether targeting attraction or not—led to measurable psychological benefits for both genders:

🔹 Reduced same-sex behavior post-therapy 🔹 Lower depression (most pronounced in women) 🔹 Higher self-esteem (especially in men) 🔹 Better social connections 🔹 Decreased substance use

Who Benefited the Most?

Those with a history of suicidal thoughts saw the greatest mental health improvements after therapy, outperforming those who had never considered self-harm.

Key Takeaways: What This Means for Future Research

  1. Excluding women from studies on sexual change therapy may underestimate its effectiveness.
  2. Therapy—even when not directly targeting attraction—can lead to meaningful shifts.
  3. More balanced research is needed, ensuring both men and women are equally represented to refine support strategies for those seeking change.

The study challenges assumptions about sexual orientation and therapy, opening doors for more nuanced, inclusive approaches to mental health and identity exploration.

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