AFT statement on ‘reparative therapy’ of members of sexual minorities

Published: 27 January 2012

The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice fully supports the recent statement by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) on 'reparative' therapy.

AFT, together with the UKCP of which it is an Organisational Member, does not consider homosexuality or bisexuality, or transsexual and transgendered states to be pathologies, mental disorders or indicative of developmental arrest. These are not symptoms to be treated by psychotherapists, in the sense of attempting to change or remove them.

AFT considers there to be no place for ‘reparative therapy’ within the contemporary ethical framework underpinning all psychotherapeutic approaches. AFT fully endorses the Code of Ethics set forth by UKCP in relation to these repellent practices.

Download 'AFT statement on ‘reparative therapy’ of members of sexual minorities' press release (PDF)

Notes to editors

• The UKCP statement and policy can be viewed at http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/article1471.html
• AFT, the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, is a thriving multi-disciplinary alliance of professionals working therapeutically with children, adults and those important in their lives. It is the UK voice for systemic approaches to family, couple and individual therapy. For further details visit www.aft.org.uk

Contact

• AFT communications officer Jan Parker: e janparker@aft.org.uk t 07931 726247
• AFT, 7 Executive Suite, St James Court, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington Cheshire WA4 6PS, t 01925 444414