ArchivedHow could you spread so much hate about gays?The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM III because it is not a pathological condition that can be cured by accepted medical treatments. This is a factual reason. The American Psychiatric Association follows these guidelines and to deny that some people want to change a behavior that can be rooted in a treatable psychologically is not a factual or good reason to state that all therapy is harmful to their patients. Conversion and reparative therapy are psychological terms bantered about by professionals that mean absolutely nothing to real people. If a person’s personal goal is to overcome a behavior they despise it is the psychologist’s responsibility to aid in that goal to the best of his/her professional ability. If any counselor does irreparable damage to his/her patient in the process of counseling the counselor should be reprimanded and held accountable for their treatment. Back to one of your earlier statements; ex-gay ministries do not claim to cure homosexuality. The word “cure” is used by those who oppose any counseling to help a patients reach their goal. Do you cure a phobia or help a person overcome a phobia? Can phobia’s be cured in the same sense that cancer can be cured with chemicals and surgery? No, and the use of chemicals and surgery is the duty and responsibility of a medical doctor. The duty and responsibility of a psychologist is to aid their patient overcome any issue that bothers them. If a man or woman seeks professional counseling in regard to their sexuality it is the counselors primary responsibility to first determine the why and then help the patient to understand the why. If the why is for societal acceptance and not a deep seated desire and commitment to overcome a treatable condition or behavior it is the counselors responsibility to help them understand this, it is not the counselors responsibility to judge the reasons a patient is seeking professional help. Any man or woman who has suffered emotional damage at the hands of a professional counselor may have an actionable case against the counselor. However to denigrate those who do not do damage to their patients based on unqualified counselors who do is ludicrous and prejudicial. Joe Dallas understands this, which is the reason I recommend his book to those who are ambivalent in their desires to leave gay life. However, both APA’s and the AMA take the position that anyone who disagrees with them is wrong. When dealing with emotional or psychological counseling the patient, not a philosophy or religion is of prime importance so if a counselor takes the stance that changing ones sexual orientation is impossible and the patients is seeking help in this area is it ethical to accept him/her as a patient? I believe the answer is no. On the other hand if the psychologist takes the position that homosexuality is anti-social behavior and feels the patient must change it is also unethical for this counselor to accept the person as a patient. It is the responsibility of a mental health professional to safe guard the mental health of their patient not force their opinion on the patient. |
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame