Neb. Catholics ask for OK for psychologists to not treat gays

[WillParkinson]

Neb. Catholics ask for OK for psychologists to not treat gays

(Lincoln, Neb.) Nebraska’s rules for licensed psychologists could change because of concerns about potential conflicts between religious convictions and sexual orientation.

Jim Cunningham of the Nebraska Roman Catholic Conference says psychologists and other licensed therapists should be able to refuse to treat or refer clients because of the counselors’ religious or moral convictions.

But psychologist James Cole told regulators that such a rule could open the door for discrimination as long as a therapist claimed a religious conflict. Cole represented the Nebraska Psychology Association at a recent hearing on the proposal.

http://www.365gay.com/news/neb-catholics-ask-for-ok-for-psychologists-to-not-treat-gays/

[dkf]

1. I wonder how much help you can get from a psychologist who is

that hostile anyway.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. Yeah seriously

One reason I picked my therapist is the fact that she's gay. I went through hell as a teenager getting sent to an "ex-gay" pyschiatrist.

Oddly enough, it was a Catholic priest who got my mom to not think being gay was a sin. I'd recommend him to any gay person, honestly, but obviously not all are as good as him.

[SacredCow]

3. I've never seen a gay therapist....

Of the handfull I've seen in my life, they've all been straight but not narrow. A lot of my friends give me shit for seeing a straight woman therapist, with the logic "How can she possibly help you? You've got nothing in common." But it's all about comfort- I am able to tell my therapist anything and know that she'll give me an honest and unbiased answer.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. Yep, I got lucky

I wanted a gay-friendly, female therapist, so I called up a gay-friendly male therapist (also, very much Catholic, btw) that I knew and he referred me to her.

[bluedawg12]

13. It can be done - if there is a will, with therapists to overcome bias.

,,,,,,,,,,,,
J Marital Fam Ther. 2005 Jul;31(3):239-49.
Overcoming bias toward same-sex couples: a case study from inside an MFT ethics classroom.Charlés LL, Thomas D, Thornton ML.
University of Louisiana at Monroe, USA.

This article illustrates a teaching case in which a marriage and family therapy (MFT) trainee learned to develop cultural sensitivity toward same-sex couples despite religious beliefs that put her at risk of discriminating against that population. The case took place during a marriage and family therapy ethics course in the spring of 2003. From two first-person perspectives, the authors illustrate the processes that facilitated the student's change, addressing the class activities, discussions, and pivotal moments of teaching and learning that promoted the student's cultural competency and helped her to resolve this personal and ethical dilemma. A set of classroom techniques (creating a safe environment, using a stance of curiosity, finding alternative learning formats, extrapolating ideas from multiple sources, and capitalizing on students' experiences outside of class) used in the case are detailed throughout the article.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[MindMatter]

4. He'll never find a cure for "the gay" with an attitude like that

[FiveGoodMen]

5. Can MDs then refuse to treat Catholics?

[GodlessBiker]

15. Indeed. If some seek to discriminate against others, others should be able to do the same against..

them

[MountainLaurel]

7. More fodder for my letter to my legislators

Louisiana is trying to pass one of those conscience clause bills.

[damntexdem]

8. Those wanting such an exemption should be denied licenses to practice.

And those making this demand obviously need to see shrinks themselves.

[dkf]

11. I'm not sure they need an exemption, rather they should require disclosure.

This sounds like a strong enough bias that would be detrimental to a GLBT person looking for true help.

[TlalocW]

9. If this happens

I will go back to school to get another degree - this time in psychology, move to Nebraska, start a practice, and put a big ol', "Sorry, No Catholics," shingle on my building.

TlalocW

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. This group better rethink this

I have relatives who have told me Catholics are idol worshiping pagans, never to be trusted, etc. So if a psychologist from their church lived in Nebraska under the law they propose, no Catholic would ever be treated.

[bluedawg12]

12. They may be doing gays a favor.

Not much of a therapeutic relationship to be had with a bigoted psychotherapist.

However, refusing to treat gays is quite different than, being up front with gay clients about where they stand on gay sexuality. Especially if some emergency situation should arise.

I wonder who else that they have "moral objections" to they won't treat? Slippery slope?

"The Church has a proper role in the political order and a responsibility to contribute to the public debate on issues having significant moral dimensions. This role and this responsibility flow from a Gospel mandate, from the Church's moral and social teaching and from Her concern for the common good.

Nebraska Bishops' Statements on:

Affirming the Dignity of the Mentally Ill, Bishops' Statement on Mental Health (2/05)
Education, Parental Rights in (10/98)
Federal Marriage Amendment, Letter to Nebraska US Senators (7/8/04)
Pastoral Letter Regarding Project Rachel (1/01)
Roe v. Wade, 25 Years of (1/22/98)
Rural Life Statement, Hardships Affecting (5/99)
UNMC Fetal Tissue Use (12/2/99)
"

- http://www.nebcathcon.org/about_ncc.htm



Politics and religion.

[NMMNG]

14. Are they there to treat patients or practice their religion?

This nonsense where religious bigots want to get out of doing their jobs and violate anti-discrimination laws by citing their "religious beliefs" is getting out of hand. The law needs to apply to everyone or it's useless.



Or maybe we can start claiming we can't treat/serve/work with religious people because (insert excuse here). What's good for the goose, and all.