News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on October 24, 2011, 11:53:09 AM Return to Full Version
Title: NARTH is not primarily composed of mental health professionals
Post by: Shana A on October 24, 2011, 11:53:09 AM
Post by: Shana A on October 24, 2011, 11:53:09 AM
NARTH is not primarily composed of mental health professionals
Posted on October 24th, 2011 by Warren Throckmorton
http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/10/24/narth-is-not-primarily-composed-of-mental-health-professionals/ (http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/10/24/narth-is-not-primarily-composed-of-mental-health-professionals/)
Last week, the Family Research Council promoted the annual conference of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, touting the group as "one of the best sources of information about homosexuality." In the description of NARTH, the FRC claimed that NARTH is "primarily composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professional therapists and counselors who offer 'sexual reorientation therapy' to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attractions."
However, this is not accurate. NARTH is not composed primarily of mental health professionals. Actually, according to NARTH's operations director, David Pruden, only about 250 of NARTH's approximately 1000 members are mental health professionals. Furthermore, some of those 250 members who have mental health degrees are academics who write about sexuality but do not provide sexual reorientation therapy. Thus, the lion's share of NARTH's members consist of lay people, ministers, and activists who have an interest in the materials provided by NARTH but are not scientists or therapists.
Posted on October 24th, 2011 by Warren Throckmorton
http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/10/24/narth-is-not-primarily-composed-of-mental-health-professionals/ (http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/10/24/narth-is-not-primarily-composed-of-mental-health-professionals/)
Last week, the Family Research Council promoted the annual conference of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, touting the group as "one of the best sources of information about homosexuality." In the description of NARTH, the FRC claimed that NARTH is "primarily composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professional therapists and counselors who offer 'sexual reorientation therapy' to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attractions."
However, this is not accurate. NARTH is not composed primarily of mental health professionals. Actually, according to NARTH's operations director, David Pruden, only about 250 of NARTH's approximately 1000 members are mental health professionals. Furthermore, some of those 250 members who have mental health degrees are academics who write about sexuality but do not provide sexual reorientation therapy. Thus, the lion's share of NARTH's members consist of lay people, ministers, and activists who have an interest in the materials provided by NARTH but are not scientists or therapists.