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| New Research by IHF Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal Issues in Law & Medicine
Recent legislation introduced in the United States, and abroad, to restrict “conversion” or “change” therapies for clients under the age of eighteen has brought upon increasing challenges for religious and/or rejecting families of children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ), or experience unwanted same-sex attractions or gender identity conflicts. Currently, fourteen states, the District of Columbia, and forty-four cities have passed laws to prohibit such therapies, with more legislation being introduced every year. While reports of abuse and/or forced therapy with licensed clinicians are hard to verify, outcome studies on the effects of “conversion” or “change” therapy for minors have not been published in the scientific peer-reviewed literature, and even less is known about successful therapeutic interventions for religious and/ or rejecting families of such youth. |
| With the increasing scrutiny brought about by such laws, licensed mental health practitioners should consider adopting innovative models of family systems therapy in order to safely and effectively work with sexual minority youth, and their families. This article presents one such family systems therapeutic model, while also addressing several important ethical considerations for working with religious and/or rejecting families of sexual minority youth. Click here to read more of A New Family Systems Therapeutic Approach for Parents and Families of Sexual Minority Youth.
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| | Bring Christopher Doyle to Your Church Service, Conference, or Event Clear Answers on Sexuality and Gender in a Confused Culture
In today’s secular culture, confusion abounds on issues relating to sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Within the church, pastors and ministers are being inundated with so-called modern constructs of sex, gender, and sexual identity - and without the proper training and education, professionals in the faith-based community are often unable to articulate clear solutions to difficult questions.
Having journeyed through these issues, personally and professionally, Christopher Doyle understands and can articulate clear-cut solutions to these dilemmas. As a licensed clinical professional counselor, published author, and expert on sexuality and gender identity, some of the topics he teaches on, are:
- The Meaning of Sex: A New Christian Ethos
- Understanding Homosexuality and Gender Identity: Meaning and Causes
- Intimacy in Marriage: How to Take Your Marriage from Functioning to Flourishing
- Healing for Families and Parents of Sexual Minority Children
- Sexual Risk Avoidance: Benefits of Delaying Sexual Debut for Young People
- Real Love in Marriage: How to Give and Receive Unconditional Love
- The Politics of Sexual and Gender Identity
In addition, Christopher can customize any of these presentations to suit your conference, event, Sunday morning service, or mid-week Bible study.
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| Institute for Healthy Families and Christopher Doyle in the Media |
| | Dr. Michelle Cretella on Transgender Ideology: 'Institutionalized Large-Scale Child Abuse'
"For most of human history, it has been pretty obvious that we determine our gender by our bodies. But today, more are beginning to believe it starts in the mind. It's troubling when an adult chooses this, but when children become involved, it's dangerous," stated Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, who moderated a panel on gender ideology and children at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Click here to read Christopher Doyle's interview with Dr. Michelle Cretella at The Christian Post. |
| | Teen Vogue Article on Gender-Neutral Words Misses the Meaning of Sex On August 27, Teen Vogue published an article titled: “How to Use Gender-Neutral Words, and Why They’re Important.” In the article, author Danielle Corcione (I assume it is a she, but to be politically correct, I’ll refer to Danielle as “author”) tells us that “Gender-inclusive language isn’t typically something you learn in school, but its use is incredibly important to make life easier for non-binary peers.” “Using gendered terms — such as “ladies [and] gentlemen” — is highly presumptuous, especially in today's society, in which many persons are aware that they don't identify as male or female and therefore are uncomfortable with this type of language,” Dara Hoffman-Fox, LPC, explains. Is it really true that “many persons” don’t identify as male or female and are uncomfortable with “he” or “she” or other sex-specific words and pro-nouns? In actuality, this is not the truth. In fact, a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Public Health estimated that only .0039 percent of the United States public identifies as transgender – a number that can hardly be described as “many”. So why is Teen Vogue and other “mainstream” media outlets pushing this “gender nonbinary” narrative? Click here to read more of Christopher Doyle's op-ed at The Christian Post.
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| | CNN Interviews IHF Executive Director, Christopher Doyle on Upcoming "Conversion Therapy" Films 'Conversion therapy' hits the big screen while laws play out in states
(CNN) - A therapist forbade 16-year-old Mathew Shurka from speaking to his mother and sisters for three years. The youngest child and only son in a tight-knit Long Island family, Shurka said that his mom wasn't physically or emotionally abusive. Instead, the therapist told the teen to give the women the silent treatment because it would help make him straight.
'I try to give them realistic outcomes'
Therapist Christopher Doyle, a conversion therapy advocate working with conservative groups like the Family Research Council to stop the government bans, disagrees.
He experienced same-sex attraction but didn't want to, he said, but by addressing the trauma in his life through therapy, he was able to shift his attraction. He's married now to a woman and has five children. He said he's dedicated his life to helping others who struggle with unwanted attractions.
"I specialize in trauma and work with clients to resolve that trauma. People who want help. There's no electric shock or shaming," said Doyle, who practices in the Washington, D.C., area. He says he doesn't promise anyone that they will be straight. "Each individual is unique, but I try to give them realistic outcomes." He points to a new study in the Linacre Quarterly, the peer-reviewed journal of the Catholic Medical Association, in which 68% of the 125 religious men who underwent such therapy had at least some "heterosexual shifts in sexual attract and behavior."
Most scientific studies have shown the opposite. And while all the major mental health associations object to the practice, Doyle believes those objections are politically motivated.
He believes that participants' horror stories involve practices that are not done by ethical mainstream practitioners. "I know I am not calling people bad or evil in my work," he said. "And I do have gay friends, and they support me, even if they don't necessarily agree with everything I say, but I don't agree with everything my wife says, either." Click here to read more at CNN.com |
| | The War on Psychotherapy
When Sexual Politics, Gender Ideology, and Mental Health Collide (Coming Soon in 2019) |
| | | Institute for Healthy Families (IHF) specializes in counseling solutions for individuals, couples, families, therapists, and ministry leaders. IHF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit therapeutic organization located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. As a Judeo-Christian organization, IHF believes that the family is the foundation for healthy individuals, relationships, communities, and places of worship. While IHF is non-sectarian, we believe that God reveals His truth in both the Bible and Creation and that we can use this wisdom to help facilitate healing. IHF believes that through this synthesis of science and faith, we can help our clients form and maintain healthy families that will be able to help their children become the best versions of themselves and fulfill God’s will for their lives. For more information, visit our website at: www.InstituteforHealthyFamilies.org
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