Rating: Summary: Thoughtful, profound Review: I am a formerly homosexually active male who embraced celibacy due to a religious conversion to reformation christianity. This book is making me begin to think that I may be able to move beyond celibacy to heterosexual expression. I found this book so "on the money" (at least in my own case) that I needed to read it in small sections in order to absorb all that it had to offer. If you embrace the gay lifestyle, this book will be like waving a red flag to a bull. If you have rejected that lifestyle because it goes against your faith, morals, and desire for family or because you desire a wholesome life in the heterosexual/judaeo-christian community, this book will be a blessing. I'm not saying that this book will eliminate your same sex feelings. I will only say that I have experienced some profound insights and that it has thrown a great deal of light on my issues so that what once seemed permanently ingrained may now be more of a matter of working through some important growth in areas of my life that I did not know even existed. I know that many gay men will be angry at this book. This book came to me at a moment when God had cleaned my life up and when I was ready and open for its message. It is having a profound effect on my way of thinking. How this will work out in my life remains to be seen.
Rating: Summary: Help for those who desire change Review: I can only speak for myself. I am finding that Nicolosi's work is proving to be a tremedous tool for my own journey out of a lifestyle that has been both destructive and damaging for me. Not only is 'Reparative Therapy' clear and simple, but it provides hope and practical solutions for those who have chosen not to pursue a same-sex life style. Nicolosi has brought light into questions and root issues regarding same-sex attraction that I have suspected for many years but did not have the understanding, nor the articulation to process (e.g. failure of the father/son relationship, childhood traumas/problems, developmental issues). I would highly recommend Nicolosi's work for anyone who has chosen NOT to pursue their same-sex attractions, as well for those who are STILL NOT SURE and honestly desire to see a hopeful perspective.
Rating: Summary: Nicolosi assists where no other could possibly hope to! Review: I have read this book repeatedly and have also given it away as a gift to others struggling with same sex attractions who are unhappy with their state of mind and being. In each and every case the level of anxiety and distress was reduced after the reading of this book. The fact that our homosexuality is caused by a lack an intimate relationship with the same sex parent was critical in my understanding of self and homo-erotic tendencies. I will shout this books material from the roof tops whenever I hear from those blind individuals that there is no way to healing or that healing does not exist in this fashion. It does work if you have the desire to fight and be painfully honest with self. Brilliantly presented material in an easy to read fashion.
Rating: Summary: Inappropriate Title Review: I rate this book very low because the title is SO inappropriate and misleading. If you read the book, the case studies, and even some of the other reviews written here, it becomes clear that Nicolosi is not talking about changing the sexual identity of homosexuals as his title suggests. Rather, Nicolosi is writing about helping confused heterosexual men find their true sexual identity. Our true sexual identity (whether homosexual or heterosexual) is a gift from God and each person must find how to best enjoy that gift. For the confused heterosexual man, Dr. Nicolosi's book may have helped in this regard were it not for the appalling fact that Nicolosi or his publisher appear to have deliberately chosen an inflammatory title to sell more books. In the long run the inappropriate title does too much harm to a book that may have otherwise done some good for already confused heterosexual men.
Rating: Summary: Remember: EVERYONE has an agenda Review: I read this book a few years ago and founds its message hopeful and addictive. I became so entranced by Dr. Nicolosi's appealing spin (he largely avoids the religious debate) that I sought out the local ex-gay Christian ministry to "heal" myself. That period in my life effectively pushed me forward into self-acceptance as a gay man who believes his orientation is natural and normal. The group therapy sessions exposed me to the darkest, saddest group of people I'd had ever been around; I really appreciated being badgered by the "counselor" (her only degree was in Computer Science; go figure) who blamed my refusal to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior (the Heavenly Father) because of my damaged relationship with my earthly father. Er, no, I rejected the sillier aspects of Christianity when I learned to think for myself as a pre-teen. One of the more virulent ex-gays (who was married with children) who attended the group sessions was always present in the locker room of my gym (I never saw him work out). So, folks, if you need to read this book, please take it with a grain of salt. However, please remember to think for yourself and put any ideas you encounter through that rigorous set of tests that make you an intelligent, critical human being.
Rating: Summary: I'm not sure what to think Review: I really don't know what to think of a therapist who admits that a change isn't possible, but still advocates therapy for it. Isn't there an ethics panel that deals with this sort of thing?
Rating: Summary: A Unique Voice in a Fraught Debate Review: I think Doctor Nicolosi is somewhat prejudiced (I hope I am not anti-gay in any way). He is also to some relgiously motivated (which raises my suspicions considerably). Nevertheless, I believe it is a unique resource for heterosexual men whose erotic life has been dominated by same sex attraction. It illustrates clearly why that previous sentence is not an utter contradiction in terms.Nicolosi expresses the nature of male-male attraction as it affects some men - including myself - in a more lucid and humane way than I have ever come across elsewhere. For a long time I have travelled alone with my view of why I spent all my teens and most of my twenties fetishising maleness and being very insecure in my own. This book and Nicolosi's 'Healing Homosexuality : Case Stories of Reparative Therapy' which contains very similar themes to this book, have been a revalation to me. Another reviewer here criticises the book as psychobabble. Nicolosi's book probably does read lik! e psychobabble if you don't know what it is like to be stuck with the dilemma that you prefer men, believe you are strong enough to come out, but just don't want to because you know something's not right. The reason why it's not right is because, for some men, there gayness is a symptom of the fact they never felt like other men and consciously or unconsciously craved to be men, but never knew how. That is my story. The great objection that might be raised, which Nicolosi deals with neatly, is that I have been conditioned to hate gays and hate gay-ness in myself by a society which does not accept nonconformity. That's where my self-hatred comes from. For me, that's psychobabble. Nicolosi also presents a clear critique of the virulence with which some gay men react to the notion that there may be those with similar desires to their own who believe they would like to change and can change to a fundamental heterosexual orientation. Like Nicolosi I think this smacks of the sa! me doctrinare and bigoted viewpoint which gay men - rightly! - feel they are too often faced with.
Rating: Summary: Here's more excuses for the eternal victim in you. Review: I think this book is great in one thing. It records the existence of those of us that feel homoerotic desires but don't necessarily conform to what has been understood as gay-ness by the mass media OR the Bible-wielding biggots. On the other hand it fails to recognize its main subject. Not homosexuality or bisexuality or homoerotic tendencies. (Why heal what is not wounded?) but the human tendency to blame others or the environment or what not for our own perceived faults. Reading this book I understand there is, in reality, no therapy for the many kinds of male homosexuality . But I clearly see a need for a therapy that would address why we need to be seen as victims of just about anything and why we don't take responsibility for our own feelings of inadaptation or guilt.
Rating: Summary: WASTE OF PAPER...WASTE OF TIME Review: I THINK WE ALL SHOULD KNOW BY NOW THAT LISTENING TO THIS SORT OF CONVOLUTED NONSENSE IS SIMPLY A BACKWARD PACE FROM A GAY PERSON'S FREEDOM TO EXPLORE AND BECOME WHAT NOT ONLY THEY NEED TO BE, BUT WERE MEANT TO BE. THE PREMISE OF HOMOSEXUALITY NEEDING TO BE CURED, SOLVED, OR HAVING THERAPY APPLIED IS AN ENORMOUS JOKE. I HOPE THIS BOOK S-T-A-Y-S OUT OF PRINT AND IS FORGOTTEN ALONG WITH THE AUTHOR, AND HIS COWARDLY WAYS TO HELP MEN WHO WERE MEANT TO BE WITH OTHER MEN (MEANING THE WAY NATURE INTENDED WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT) SULK OFF AND NOT DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS, ISSUES OR DESIRES. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO LISTEN TO THIS SORT OF REPARATIVE BULLCRAP...SO BE SMART ABOUT WHY YOU ARE THE WAY YOU ARE. NEVER READ ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I'M SORRY I DID.
Rating: Summary: Reparative Therapy for Homophobia Review: I wrote this review for another book on Amazon, but it certainly applies to this book. Unlike many reviewers I did read this book. If you are struggling with homosexuality or want to help someone that is, do not read this book. I read this book when I was going through "reparative therapy". Not only does this so-called "therapy" not work for most people, it is quite harmful. I should know, I nearly committed suicide several times during the "treatment". What really needs to be cured is the homophobia among the religious community. Thankfully I am still alive and happily married to a wonderful man. I can tell you that things will get better as you accept and love this part of you. God made you gay for a reason and loves you that way. Concentrate on becoming a better, more loving person and changing things in your life that actually need changing.
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