Pray away the Gay

[jclalor 12]

Michelle bachmann is a co owner along with her husband
who runs a mental heath care clinic, that has on occasion received tax payer dollars for the clinic to fix these gay barbarians (his words not mine)

I don't know about you, but every time I see him my gaydar goes off just a bit.



http://www.businessinsider.com/abc-news-confirms-bachmann-clinic-used-pray-away-the-gay-therapy-2011-7

[rwa2468 0]

i think it's as touchy as a subject as to say a "planned parenthood" receiving tax dollars to support abortion..... only not killing babies....????

As far as my beliefs, i think our federal government has no place in either debate and wish they left it up to the states.... the feds have enough to worry about and can't handle the "control" we've so ungratefully given them.....

[jclalor 12]

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i think it's as touchy as a subject as to say a "planned parenthood" receiving tax dollars to support abortion..... only not killing babies....????

As far as my beliefs, i think our federal government has no place in either debate and wish they left it up to the states.... the feds have enough to worry about and can't handle the "control" we've so ungratefully given them.....

Planned parenthood is not allowed to receive government funding to support abortion.

The Federal and State Government has no business promoting curative therapy for Gays, not a single scientific study has ever supported it.

[RonD1120 62]

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The Federal and State Government has no business promoting curative therapy for Gays, not a single scientific study has ever supported it.

You are in the medical field. I wish you understood more regarding the mental health and substance use treatment field.

Eclectic therapies are the counselor's bag of tools. Counselor's can only work on the defined problem. In the majority of cases, the vast majority of cases, the client determines the problem. Then the counselor begins a shared journey with the client to solve the problem. The final solution can only be determined by the client.

I worked in a segment of the field where the courts determined the problem and the government determined the length of treatment.

If a client seeks treatment and is gay, that individual is assessed and diagnosed. The issue of homosexuality will never enter the treatment regimen unless the client brings it up.

If the client believes that some religion, any religion, or spiritual path is beneficial then, and only then, is the counselor ethically allowed to follow that path with the client.

Federal funding, from my experience, comes along in the form of Medicaid for indigent clients. As such, it is extremely limited for voluntary treatment. Therefore, if a client is to receive federally funded treatment, it is most likely because the client has become involved in the criminal justice system.

Assume a federally funded community mental health center accepts a client/patient who is homosexual, suffering from anxiety and possibly depression from the loss or break-up of their significant other. The client/patient is going to be diagnosed and prescribed appropriate medication for anxiety/depression and sent on their way. Extended counseling is just not likely to enter the picture because it is too expensive.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[tkhayes 348]

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If the client is led to believe believes that some religion, any religion, or spiritual path is beneficial then, and only then, is the counselor ethically allowed to follow that path with the client.

fixed that for you.....I believe that would be the more accurate description of the process, at least in your case.

[RonD1120 62]

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If the client is led to believe believes that some religion, any religion, or spiritual path is beneficial then, and only then, is the counselor ethically allowed to follow that path with the client.

fixed that for you.....I believe that would be the more accurate description of the process, at least in your case.

You are incorrect. You do not understand how the counseling profession functions. Check it out with Dr. Steve Groff.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[jclalor 12]

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***If the client is led to believe believes that some religion, any religion, or spiritual path is beneficial then, and only then, is the counselor ethically allowed to follow that path with the client.

fixed that for you.....I believe that would be the more accurate description of the process, at least in your case.

You are incorrect. You do not understand how the counseling profession functions. Check it out with Dr. Steve Groff.

Do you not think that it is possible that some one who is Gay could be so guilt ridden and confused, about his sexuality, due to the way a large portion of the population thinks of them? That this same person could believe that they may be able to "pray away the Gay" when all of the available evidence says otherwise.

As a mental health counselor, Do you believe you should not provide evidence based treatment when it contradicts with your religious beliefs? Have you ever thought that a person should recuse them self if they are unable to separate their religion with their professional practice?

[RonD1120 62]

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***If the client is led to believe believes that some religion, any religion, or spiritual path is beneficial then, and only then, is the counselor ethically allowed to follow that path with the client.

fixed that for you.....I believe that would be the more accurate description of the process, at least in your case.

You are incorrect. You do not understand how the counseling profession functions. Check it out with Dr. Steve Groff.

Do you not think that it is possible that some one who is Gay could be so guilt ridden and confused, about his sexuality, due to the way a large portion of the population thinks of them? That this same person could believe that they may be able to "pray away the Gay" when all of the available evidence says otherwise.

As a mental health counselor, Do you believe you should not provide evidence based treatment when it contradicts with your religious beliefs? Have you ever thought that a person should recuse them self if they are unable to separate their religion with their professional practice?

In FL, the Department of Children and Families requires that licensed mental health/substance abuse treatment facilities allow the client to determine their own path for mental health. Counselors may advise, point to contradictions, construct comparative analyses, etc. but, the client walks the path. The exception to this rule is if the client states intentions to harm themselves or someone else. For example, confesses suicidal or homicidal tendencies, confesses child or elder abuse.

In these latter cases, the counselor is a mandated reporter and must notify appropriate authority.

Substance use disorder treatment by and large is still based on the 12 step program with its higher power concept.

A guilt ridden client must determine which part of their behavior they need to change to achieve peace of mind. Successful counseling therapy necessitates a change in behavior somewhere.

I have had many guilt ridden gay clients and my Christian belief had no part in my counseling technique, unless the client asked me.

The client could ask to receive help changing homosexual behavior. Or, the client could request help dealing with the guilt from the BS laid on them by an ignorant society. Either way, I could work with them.

If a counselor can not separate his sympathies from empathy with the client, then yes, the counselor should back away or seek professional peer guidance to deal with personal bias.

Edit to add:
I missed the point of your question in the first paragraph.

Yes, I believe that a person may follow a spiritual path to change their homosexual behavior and desires. Or, in your words, they can pray away gay. They have to make that choice of their own volition.

I prayed away alcoholism and substance use, as well as nicotine, after the Lord showed me that my desires were wrong, immoral, unhealthy and detrimental to my growth as a person.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[jclalor 12]

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Edit to add:
I missed the point of your question in the first paragraph.

Yes, I believe that a person may follow a spiritual path to change their homosexual behavior and desires. Or, in your words, they can pray away gay. They have to make that choice of their own volition.

I prayed away alcoholism and substance use, as well as nicotine, after the Lord showed me that my desires were wrong, immoral, unhealthy and detrimental to my growth as a person.[/reply

]

I probably could have been clearer in my first paragraph. What I was trying to say is that if a persons motive for trying to become straight is based
upon feeling ashamed of their sexuality, based on outdated social values and unscientific belief systems. Should the goal of therapy be then too help the person accept their situation and not be ashamed? Also to let the person know that all of the scientific research supports a person accepting who they are.

I also have issues with a person being ordered by the state to attend a 12 step faith based program.


I am 4 months tobacco free as of yesterday, I did not need a higher power to quit and I am fairly certain you could have done all it on your own too.

[RonD1120 62]

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Edit to add:
I missed the point of your question in the first paragraph.

Yes, I believe that a person may follow a spiritual path to change their homosexual behavior and desires. Or, in your words, they can pray away gay. They have to make that choice of their own volition.

I prayed away alcoholism and substance use, as well as nicotine, after the Lord showed me that my desires were wrong, immoral, unhealthy and detrimental to my growth as a person.[/reply

]

I probably could have been clearer in my first paragraph. What I was trying to say is that if a persons motive for trying to become straight is based
upon feeling ashamed of their sexuality, based on outdated social values and unscientific belief systems. Should the goal of therapy be then too help the person accept their situation and not be ashamed? Also to let the person know that all of the scientific research supports a person accepting who they are.

I also have issues with a person being ordered by the state to attend a 12 step faith based program.


I am 4 months tobacco free as of yesterday, I did not need a higher power to quit and I am fairly certain you could have done all it on your own too.

The paramount goal of therapy, in my opinion, is peace of mind. How do you get it and keep it?

The 12 step program is tried and true. Support can be found almost everywhere in the world.

Congratulations! You have the problem whipped, if you don't pick up.

In my case, I tried for five years, after admitting I had a problem, to remain sober and failed. I could take breaks but could not maintain.

I did not want to give up nicotine. God threw that one in as a bonus.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[stevebabin 0]

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I am 4 months tobacco free as of yesterday, I did not need a higher power to quit and I am fairly certain you could have done all it on your own too.

Given that a "higher power" is simply an imagined being, he absolutely did it on his own. He just doesn't know it.

"Science, logic and reason will fly you to the moon. Religion will fly you into buildings."
"Because figuring things out is always better than making shit up."