Critical Therapy Antidote

Back in April we posted a news item about the UK Council for Psychotherapy’s (UKCP) decision to withdraw its signature from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on conversion therapy. The grounds for this decision were the safeguarding issues raised by the current wording of the document which could prevent therapists undertaking exploratory work with children.

Rather predicatably a backlash has ensued led by a group of trans activists called Therapists Against Conversion Therapy and Transphobia (TACTT). This group is attempting to force internal change by starting a petition calling for a vote of no confidence in the UKCP board and demanding the resignation of board members. The chairman of UKCP, Dr Christian Buckland, has stated publically that he will not back down on this matter.

Frederick Attenborough has written a detailed piece on this matter for The Free Speech Union. Read the full piece here. Below are some verbatim extracts:

“Conversion therapy kills,” TACTT say in an open letter explaining the move. “Not only does [UKCP’s] move potentially leave LGBTQIA+ clients undefended,” they add, “but also leaves the many queer and cisgender straight therapists who are UKCP members, and queer and cisgender straight trainees on UKCP-accredited courses feeling blindsided, betrayed and demoralised that a membership organisation they have either chosen to join, or are required to join as part of their training or job commitments, and [sic] no longer represents them safely.”

“It is deeply disturbing,” he (Christian Buckland) said, “that in return for seeking to ensure the safety of children, the board of trustees of the UKCP has been met with a petition for their removal. As chair, I will not allow the UKCP to be bullied into turning a blind eye to the safety of children.”

He (Christian Buckland) added: “As a regulator of child psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counselling, our main priority must be the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

“This is because, compared with adults, it is widely accepted that children require different considerations in relation to healthcare.”