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Press Statement: Conversion therapy in Ireland renounced by healthcare bodies
- July 12, 2024
- Posted by: Ian Rice
- Category: Blog College in the media College Papers, Submissions & Publications Events External Affairs & Policy Government Policy Media Mental Health Legislation Press Statements
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A memorandum of understanding was signed by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the Psychological Society of Ireland and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy on Friday, 12 July which renounces the practice of conversion therapy on the Island of Ireland, stating that the practice is unethical, potentially harmful and is not supported by evidence.
Conversion therapy is a term for therapy that assumes certain sexual orientations or gender identities are inferior to other and seeks to change or suppress them on that basis. This is sometimes referred to by terms including, but not limited to, ‘gay cure therapy’, ‘reparative therapy’, or ‘sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts’.
In renouncing conversion therapy on the island of Ireland, the memorandum of understanding signed by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland; Psychological Society of Ireland; and Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy also seeks to advocate for and support the LGBTI+ community.
It also does not seek to deny, discourage or exclude those with uncertain feelings around sexuality or gender identity from seeking qualified and appropriate help.
Speaking today, Dr Lorcan Martin, President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and a consultant in general adult psychiatry, said:
“There is no place in a modern, progressive society for conversion therapy, which seeks to target and undermine certain people with potentially very serious results. The absence of societal inclusivity or acceptance can have a major negative impact on a person’s mental health, and we hope that today’s announcement helps inform the public of the risks of conversion therapy, ensures healthcare professionals are aware of issues related to this practice and, ultimately, that conversion therapy is fully eradicated on the island of Ireland.”
Dr Ger McNamara, representative of the Psychological Society of Ireland and senior clinical psychologist in adult mental health, said:
“The aim of our work is to help reduce human suffering. We do this by using evidence-based assessments and therapies. The evidence base for conversion therapy shows at best it doesn’t work and at its worst is harmful, creating more suffering in those who undergo it. We come together today to unequivocally state, conversion therapy is not acceptable on the island of Ireland.”
Jade Lawless, Vice-Chair with the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, said:
“The IACP stands with our colleagues, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and the Psychological Society of Ireland, in renouncing the practice of conversion therapy, which seeks to change or deny a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The IACP supports our member counsellors and psychotherapists to provide therapy using highly ethical practice standards that are appropriately informed and which seek to prize individuality and autonomy in the spirit of our caring and empathic profession. We believe that conversion therapy creates lasting psychological damage and must not be practised in Ireland or in any country.”