Christian counsellors ban therapy aimed at 'converting' gay patients

Association of Christian Counsellors bans trying to turn gay patients straight but disgraced therapist vows to fight rulingBritain's leading body for Christian therapists has instructed its members to stop trying to turn gay patients straight using so-called "conversion therapy".The Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) said the practice should be stopped "in the interests of public safety", but the move has prompted a furious response from proponents of talking "cures" for homosexuality who have promised to fight for what they see as the right to therapy of anyone distressed by "unwanted same sex attraction".The controversial practice seeks to unearth childhood traumas, which are considered by conversion therapists to have caused homosexuality. Sexual abuse, bullying and having an overbearing mother or distant father are among the supposed triggers.Research by the US clinical psychologists Ariel Shidlo and Michael Schroeder has shown such treatment routinely led to worsened mental health, self-harm, thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts.The decision by the ACC to speak out against the practice follows similar statements in the last two years by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the UK Council for Psychotherapy and the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Department of Health.The ACC said the treatment, also called reparative therapy, "implies that sexuality can be 'repaired' and so introduces the idea of treatment or cure … it suggests th...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: The Guardian Psychology Sexuality Mental health World news Gay rights Society Equality Christianity Religion Science Source Type: news