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from Events/Announcements
New and Improved:
Clinical Members Discussion List
The clinical member's discussion list has come alive with hot topics and heated
discussions. These are ongoing discussions, by clinical members of NARTH,
online, using a computer. The conversations are going on daily and very active.
A committee was formed at the 2005 conference in LA to enhance the effectiveness
of the online discussion list.
Members include leaders in the field of homosexuality, experienced mental health
professionals and professionals wanting to learn about the field. Do you feel
isolated and alone in this important clinical work you are doing? Do you want to
get involved in the cutting edge developments in the field? Then get connected
with other mental health professionals in the field of treating unwanted same
sex attraction. All licensed mental health professionals are invited to join the
on going conversation.
Recent topics have included a heated debate on "Why Psychology Must Change" by
David Blakeslee, Ph.D. Dr. Blakeslee gave a presentation at a previous NARTH
conference and wrote an article by the same name for the NARTH Bulletin.
Dr. Blakeslee led the discussion online and he is a regular participant on the
clinical members' discussion list. The article was about how psychology
discounts the traditional philosophical understanding of human behavior and
development. This discounting by psychology is having a negative effect on the
culture and is contributing to the general cultural decline. As you might
imagine, this topic sparked a great deal of heated debate and conversation
between members of the discussion group.
Another more clinically related discussion was about a research study done by
former NARTH Sigmund Freud award winner Warren Throckmorton, Ph.D. The title of
the study was "Counseling practices as they relate to ratings of helpfulness by
consumers of sexual reorientation therapy." This article and subsequent
discussion was helpful in a more practical and clinical way. The study
identified specific techniques and clinical interventions that are necessary for
effective treatment of homosexuality. Dr. Throckmorton led the discussion and we
are privileged to have him as a regular participant on the clinical members
discussion list.
Currently, Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., president of NARTH and Dean Byrd, Ph.D.
former vice president of NARTH, are answering some questions given to them by
the clinical members. This has sparked lively debate. Some of the questions are
as follows. Can a former struggler of homosexuality be an effective
psychotherapist? Is it possible to emotionally reengage the classic, "disengaged
father"? What are some effective therapeutic tools to work through resistance?
And finally, Dr. Nicolosi shared how he got into the field of treating
homosexuality. This opened the door for many of the members of the clinical
discussion group to explain how they got involved in the treatment of
homosexuality.
In the future we hope to expand our topics and increase numbers. The next topic
will be on the book "Destructive Trends in Mental Heath." In the future we will
be discussing and debating Gay parenting and Gay marriage.
If you are interested in signing up go to the NARTH web site and to the
following address, http://www.narth.com/menus/discussion.html.
Marc S. Dillworth, Ph.D.
Clinical Member Facilitator
Updated: 8 February 2008
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