Hundreds of licensed counselors have signed on to a letter objecting to a 2006 ethics statement by the American Counseling Association (ACA), which indicates only gay-affirming therapies to help a person deal with same-sex attraction and their faith are acceptable.
In 1990, the ACA ruled it should not take positions on controversial social issues of conscience where there isn’t a consensus. Psychologist Warren Throckmorton said the 2006 statement conflicts with that rule.
“In this opinion, the ethics committee stigmatized any religious view of homosexuality except an affirming one," he said.
He’s asking the ACA to review its latest opinion and accept what has proven in many cases to be effective therapy in dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction.
Attorney Brian Raum of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) also sent a letter in protest.
“What would be acceptable to the ADF and Dr. Throckmorton is a clear and concise ethical ruling which supports the rights of clients and counselors to engage in counseling which affirms their religious beliefs," he said.
“The Alliance Defense Fund supports the rights of a psychologist to engage in his profession according to the dictates of his own conscience.”
