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from Ethical Issues
American Counseling Association Passes Resolution to Oppose Reparative Therapy
The American Counseling Association (ACA) passed a resolution at its annual
meeting on April 13th in San Diego to oppose promotion of reparative therapy for
homosexuals. With this action, they allied themselves with the American
Psychiatric and Psychological Associations. The ACA joins a new coalition of
groups which has banded together to oppose therapy, as follows:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Federation of Teachers
American Medical Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
The Interfaith Alliance
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National Education Association
New Ways Ministries
People for the American Way
"The ACA has overridden the express directives of two of their regional
assemblies--the Western and Southern," says Dr. Warren Throckmorton, Past
President of of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, a division of
ACA. "This action is not only contrary to the wishes of many ACA members, but it
disrespects the legitimate objectives of many homosexual clients."
The new coalition is currently working on a Fact Sheet which it plans to
distribute to school administrators and school boards. The Fact Sheet will be
used to discourage school counselors from recommending an alternative to its
sexually confused students--either in the form of of reparative therapy, or
religiously based ministries.
Oddly, the ACA passed the resolution in the interest of "respecting diversity."
"This coalition is particularly problematic for clients' rights because it is
targeted at the schools," said NARTH Executive Director Joseph Nicolosi. "The
schools are the new battleground, and these groups aim to shut out NARTH's
alternative position before we even have a chance to present it."
Updated: 28 February 2008
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