Psychologists call for a review of @BPSOfficial guidelines promoting the affirmation approach. The BPS responds by saying they have consulted with Stonewall & the LGBT Foundation. Serious questions need to be asked about institutional policy capture. thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-33/octo…
From the excellent letter: "The BPS guidance stipulates that practitioners validate a belief in gender (both in general and in particular to the individual’s sense of self) without considering the evidence base in relation to the practice of belief validation."
"The long-term implications for this population resulting from the provision or denial of access to treatment are substantial. [...] appropriate, evidence-based guidelines are imperative to support the skilled psychological practice which our profession seeks to uphold."
"However, such guidelines can only be effective when these are the result of comprehensive research, conducted in an environment that supports free and independent enquiry."
"In particular, we think it is imperative that psychologists are not prevented from using our core professional skill of formulation, exploring the origins and nature of distress rather than ascribing to one pre-determined ‘diagnosis’ or explanation."
In what other area of psychology is a patient's belief simply affirmed as correct without exploration? And in what other area is a psychologist instructed by their professional body not to be neutral & open, but to share the beliefs of a political lobby group like Stonewall?
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