What exactly does conversion therapy do? May be Triggering.

[Deborah]

Of course, in doing that, they ignore their claim we're all made in "God's image".  So, I guess they don't want to accept God is trans.   

No.  in doing that they deny that this is something innate and seek to prove it is simply an adopted affection that might be changed at will.  In that way they can show it is contrary to being created in God's image.



Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Michelle_P]

Ashley, conversion therapy in the 1960s was just nasty stuff, I'm afraid.  I had some experience with this.

I was 'caught' at age 15 and taken around to see some doctors, ones with dimly lit offices and no exam tables who just wanted to talk for an hour.  My parents were offered some interesting options.

I could receive the standard state of the art treatment, electro-convulsive therapy followed by faradic or chemical aversion therapy.  I gather the ECT was to soften me up and make me more receptive to the aversion therapy, which would consist of my watching a slide show while hooked to electrodes or an IV.  Shocks or a nausea-inducing drug would be given while slides of things I wasn't supposed to like were shown.  Patients who didn't respond well to this could be given a prefrontal lobotomy to improve compliance.

My folks, Mom primarily I think, opted not to go this route.  (Mom was an RN and had a pretty good idea of the details involved.)  Instead, I got the hormones and counseling treatment.

I had undescended testicles, no body hair or beard, and was a slight, effeminate 15 year old.  This was probably due to DES exposure that I confirmed several years ago. I had done very well academically, but was poorly socialized, what with the beatings and other things that happened to me in school.  Let's just say that the high school locker room was the place I most feared once in an all-male private high school.

I was given a series of injections, very likely testosterone, and received counseling.  The counselor was an authority figure, definitely not trained as a gender counselor, who explained in detail the error of my ways and gave me quite the self-image and self-esteem talk.  I was a horrible person, and was to suppress my evil ways at any cost.  I was eventually 'cured', becoming a D student prone to violent outbursts and waking with screaming nightmares.  Yay me.

So, that's what the mild version of conversion therapy did for me.

The effects stuck for almost a decade, gradually breaking down when I was in my late 20s.  I met my first transwoman that I was aware of when I was 32, and realized that was likely what I really was, but suppressed this as best I could for another 30 years.

I think conversion therapy made me what I am today, a late bloomer with issues.  I'm recovering.  I still have nightmares.

[Jacqueline]

Lou Reed went through some of this as well. It is documented in some interviews at the very least. He did the ECT therapy with follow up sessions.

Think "A Clockwork Orange"

I guess we have covered this all pretty well, huh? I want to add triggering to the lead of this topic.

With warmth,
Joanna

[AnneK]

The counselor was a parish priest who explained in detail the error of my ways and gave me quite the self-image and self-esteem talk.  I was a horrible person, and was to suppress my evil ways at any cost.  I was eventually 'cured', becoming a D student prone to violent outbursts and waking with screaming nightmares.  Yay me.

I'm surprised he didn't conduct an exorcism.

A priest is the last person I'd consider for counselling.

[Jacqueline]

I'm surprised he didn't conduct an exorcism.

A priest is the last person I'd consider for counselling.

For many at a loss, the person to turn to is the one they turn to during joy and grief. The one that  can absolve them and is potentially considerate, understanding and concerned for them "eternally". Not every religious leader or believer is bad.

Warmly,

Joanna

[AnneK]

Not every religious leader or believer is bad.

I was thinking more of a lack of real life experience in areas they provide counselling in.  For example, how many have experience in marital issues?  At to that motivation caused by delusion, then you have to question whether you really want to talk to them.  This is even before getting to abuse that so many of them are fond of.  We've all heard about them sexually abusing children.  In Canada, we also used to have a "residential school" system, where native kids were removed from their families, denied their heritage, forbidden to speak their own language and more.  These schools were run by churches and caused a lot of damage to those forced into the system.

Bottom line, I doubt priests are all that suitable for counselling.

[Deborah]

I got caught at 13 in 1973 and almost ended up at the psychiatrist.  I didn't know what that involved then and reading the stuff above I'm glad I didn't find out. 

I got sent to four years of military school instead.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Jacqueline]

I was thinking more of a lack of real life experience in areas they provide counselling in.  For example, how many have experience in marital issues?  At to that motivation caused by delusion, then you have to question whether you really want to talk to them.  This is even before getting to abuse that so many of them are fond of.  We've all heard about them sexually abusing children.  In Canada, we also used to have a "residential school" system, where native kids were removed from their families, denied their heritage, forbidden to speak their own language and more.  These schools were run by churches and caused a lot of damage to those forced into the system.

Bottom line, I doubt priests are all that suitable for counselling.

Anne,

I would like to clarify that my comment was more explaining why some might turn to a priest for help. However, by continuing this part of the thread I feel I am doing a disservice to the original topic.  It is hi-jacking a topic already is progress. If you would like to create a topic separately about the suitability of priests as counselors, their training and how their history makes them additionally unacceptable; you are free to. By starting a new topic in the midst of another, you are violating the Terms of Service # 15

15. Items under discussion shall be confined to the subject matter at hand. Members shall avoid taking the other users posts personally, and/or posting anything that can reasonably be construed as a personal attack.

Additionally, you have stated your displeasure with religion and Catholicism in particular. You have  a right to do that. However, many of your statements in this as well as other topics could be considered:  bashing as stated in Terms of Service #10

10. Bashing or flaming of an individual or group is not acceptable behavior on this website and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.

or violating Terms of Service #16

16. Please limit religious discussions to the spirituality forum. If a thread in another forum turns into a religious discussion please move the thread to the spirituality forum. Our moderators will assist in this process if necessary. Two restrictions apply to your use of the spirituality boards:

    A. You are not to pass judgments on others beliefs, any more than they are welcome to pass judgement on yours.
    B. You are free to talk about how your spirituality affects your life, but you cannot proselytize or attempt to convert others.

Wit and humour are very helpful on a support website. While I appreciate the humour you were attempting to add to the topic; please be aware it was at the cost of ridiculing another group. I know many have be hurt in the name of religion but that does not give us the right to turn around and do likewise.

Now, back to the topic at hand. Conversion therapy.

Sincerely,

Joanna