Counselling group to appeal after being refused accreditation

An international group of therapists that supports individuals with unwanted same-sex attraction is to appeal after its application for accreditation was refused by a UK regulatory body.

The International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC) is formed of skilled therapists who provide help to individuals combating unwanted relational and sexual behaviours, attractions and patterns. They work to a Judaeo-Christian understanding of gender and sexuality, and advocate for therapeutic selection in contrast to the increasingly affirming approach being practised across Western nations. 

The IFTCC’s application for accreditation was rejected last month by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), which regulates health and social care staff across the UK. The PSA claimed that the organisation had failed the “public interest test”. 

The IFTCC has accused the PSA of “blatant discrimination” and of “imposing political ideology [and] conversion therapy definitions” before Parliament has even debated a ban on conversion therapy. 

It said that the PSA “uncritically promotes LGBT-identity ideology, and has no regard for people who find themselves former, or non-LGBT-identified”, leaving such individuals without the means to find out their very own sexual identities or behaviours”. 

The group also accused the PSA of refusing to contemplate evidence from clients and patients of positive experiences, despite taking this into consideration with other applicants. 

Dr Mike Davidson, Chairman of the IFTCC, said the PSA’s decision was “harmful and unjust” each for people looking for help with unwanted LGBT identities, and practitioners attempting to help them achieve their personal goals for change.

“We applied for accreditation because our therapists want to offer the skilled assurance to clients, and potential clients, that the external accountability and oversight that accreditation demonstrates,” he said. 

“There ought to be no need for personal therapy on this field because the NHS should operate from an a-political and non-ideological base, but clients report that the NHS fails to offer appropriate care and support to patients with unwanted same-sex attraction. They tell us that NHS GPs and counsellors only provide help if the person desires to live out those unwanted desires, nothing else.”

He continued, “We have appealed their decision as we imagine the PSA is failing to make sure that former and non-LGBT-identified individuals have access to publicly skilled care consistent with their very own values and goals, on the identical basis as LGBT-identified individuals, and since we imagine that limiting their access only to non-registered counsellors from IFTCC is discriminatory.”

Dr Davidson denied any suggestion that the IFTCC endorses conversion therapy, saying that it was “fundamentally against therapist-imposed therapy goals, aversive and coercive counselling methods, and/or guarantees of therapy outcomes – wherever they could exist”. 

“Our therapists don’t, in any way, try and change people, moderately, through exploratory work, they assist clients who at first of therapy, and through it, state that they wish to bring about change ‘in themselves’. Ours is subsequently a classic ‘client-centered approach’,” he said. 

A choice on their appeal is anticipated next week.