Opinion

  • Why 'conversion therapy' is not coercive

    Why ‘conversion therapy’ is not coercive

    The Christian Post,

    iStock/StockRocketSo-called “conversion therapy” is a boogeyman that antagonists of the Christian faith paint as a widespread, aggressive, predatory practice, as if we’re snatching hapless victims off the street and forcing them into our offices for us to torture and exploit. If you’ve read my firsttwo parts in this series on “conversion therapy” myths, there’s an irony present in the coercion myth — the assertion that counseling (or ministry) for unwanted same-sex attraction is always coercive and discriminatory. Tolerance must also be extended to those people who take the principled, scientifically supportable view that homosexuality works against our human nature.In 2010, NARTH published their “Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Unwanted Same-Sex Attractions and Behavior.” Guidelines include statements such as “Clinicians are encouraged to recognize the complexity and limitations in understanding the etiology of same-sex attractions,” “Clinicians are encouraged to respect the value of clients’ religious faith and refrain from making disparaging assumptions about their motivations for pursuing change-oriented interventions,” and “Clinicians strive to respect the dignity and self-determination of all their clients, including those who seek to change unwanted same-sex attractions and behavior.” In practical terms, what does an ethical therapist do in this field? I’ve had numerous clients recount to me how previous therapists started off attempting to be neutral and exploratory as the client wrestled with his attractions, only to eventually confront the client with what the therapist presumed was a reality check: “You need to accept that you’re gay!” If any form of therapy deserves to be called innately coercive, it’s this!So, how do gay-affirmative therapy activists justify violating ethical principles?

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