Shame and Attachment Loss: The Practical Work of Reparative Therapy

Bringing together a Judeo-Christian anthropology with biological and psychodynamic theories of human development and sexuality, psychologist Joseph Nicolosi details the therapeutic techniques of reparative therapy he has developed over the past decades. Written in three parts, the book first describes the nature of the psychodynamics of same-sex attraction as understood in the reparative therapy approach. The second part describes the various phases of treatment. The final part deals with walking clients through the process of grieving and the healing of their wounding. Endorsed by numerous notable leaders in psychotherapy, Nicolosi offers practical guidance for counselors and therapists who want to offer reparative therapy to those seeking change. Revised edition with new chapter on EMDR.

About the Author :
Dr. Nicolosi graduated from the New School for Social Research (M.A.) and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. He is licensed as a psychologist in California. In 1980, he founded the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, California, and has served since then as Clinical Director. Although he works with a wide variety of clients, his specialty is the treatment of men who wish to diminish their same-sex attractions and develop their heterosexual potential.

Review :
"I have just finished reading this book, and I only wish there had been such research and words of hope earlier in my ministry in counseling homosexuals. Nicolosi's book offers a refreshing cool cup of reason and hope on one of the most heated topics today. This is a must-read not only for the homosexual who is struggling over his sexuality but for every parish pastor, counselor and therapist. As a university professor of graduate studies in family ministry, it will be on my list of required textbooks." (Roger Sonnenberg, M.Div., M.A. (pastoral psychotherapy), professor of graduate studies in family ministry, Concordia University, and author of Human Sexuality: A Christian Perspective) "As an internationally recognized clinical expert on reparative therapy for unwanted homosexual attractions, Dr. Joseph Nicolosi has written a theoretically sound, clinically insightful, intellectually brilliant and highly compassionate practical book that will no doubt become a standard professional reference for psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental-health clinicians treating individuals troubled by their homosexual impulses. This book is not only psychologically sound and theoretically insightful, but it is consistent with the Judeo-Christian theological understanding of the creation of humans as male and female and the normality of close emotional, nonsexual relationships among men." (George A. Rekers, Ph.D., Th.D., FAACP, Distinguished Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science Emeritus, University of South Carolina School of Medicine) "As readers have come to expect from Dr. Nicolosi, Shame and Attachment Loss: The Practical Work of Reparative Therapy again is an enormous contribution to making the complexities of homosexuality and its treatment more coherent for parents, therapists and anyone concerned about cultural issues. Dr. Nicolosi continues his pathway of contributing clinically and philosophically in the traditions of a scholar." (Benjamin Kaufman, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California--Davis, and psychoanalyst) "In the current contentious and divisive climate that surrounds the treatment of homosexuality, the well-being of thousands of patients is at stake. Therefore, it is imperative that militant attempts at censorship and ideologies that would limit open inquiry be set aside in the interest of clinical integrity. The right of the patient to choose his or her therapeutic goals is paramount, and attempts to stifle the patient's freedom of choice are not only egregious but also contrary to the basic commitment of all health care itself. "For this reason, even though I disagree with some cause-and-effect relationships proffered in this book, Dr. Nicolosi's point of view must be part of the equation in an honest, open deliberation until we arrive at ultimate scientific and clinical fact. In my over sixty years of practice as a psychologist I have seen many conditions, both medical and psychological, that were once regarded as incurable to now be readily treatable. In this early stage of the heated debate on the treatment of homosexuality and same-sex attraction, to prematurely remand all homosexuals to an unchangeable lifestyle would be a disservice to the worst order." (Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D., Distinguished Professor, University of Nevada, Reno, and president, Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health)