Reply from BACP

[Freshlylaidterf]

I wrote to the BACP expressing my disgust over the apology for Stephanie Davies Arias letter. Below is the editors reply. Needless to say does not address any of the issues I raised. Im considering writing back asking what were the concerns and who raised them.

Thank you for your email, to which I am replying on BACP's behalf.
Your views have been noted, and thank you
I can only say that BACP felt the apology and withdrawal of the letter were a necessary and appropriate response to the concerns raised.
With all good wishes
Editor, Therapy Today

I really think you should. That's not an answer at all. These people are part of the governance system that is allowing extraordinarily invasive medical experimentation to be carried out on children and young people, there needs to be a better rationale than 'because we said so!'

Jesus.

That's not a reply, that's a brush off and not acceptable.

I would definitely be writing back asking for clarification.

Thanks both. Will do.

I have received an identical response. I am a therapist and am so frustrated they they have failed to address any of the concerns I raised. I’m wondering if I should pursue it further. Colleagues say it’s not worth it / too risky. But I don’t feel I have a choice. . .

Edmundburke
Im a retired thetapist so not such a risk for me.

therapist!

Crazy, isn’t it, that we even have to be consider the potential professional implications of encouraging fellow therapists to examine the evidence & try to form an unbiased position? ☹️

Totally. Although thinking about it, retiring from private practice doesnt mean I can avoid the issues. Im now in a support role in a very right on college which involves me in a good deal of counselling type work.Im totally dreading getting in to a situation where I have to 'affirm' Gawd only knows if I will manage to contain myself!

I'm just a random on the internet with no skills/experience/insight that would help in the fight against this bs other than my ability to see this nonsense for what it is, so I think it's fantastic when other women feel able to and have the skills/experience and time to stand up against it in a field in which they have expertise.
All I can do is support you and thank you and urge you to keep asking the questions and keep pushing back!

The apology was published in the editor's name. This reply says "The BACP felt..." and "I can only say...", "I" being the editor. Sounds very much as if the editor is being strongly leaned on. So who is the leadership of the BACP itself, distinct from the editor of the journal? If there is a board or committee or whatever, they should all be asked individually perhaps.

SecondRow
My thoughts too about the editor I will try and find out. Although I adressed my letter to the BACP and not therapy todayvanfld they passed it on.

Arrggghh!! Therapy today and ..I meant to type!

Susie Orbach wrote a piece in the Times not long ago indicating she is wary of all this - I wonder if an open letter to the BACP from therapists, led by someone of her profile, might be a possibility, or if it's too professional risky to be public.

Terryleather. That means a lot. Thank you.

I don't want to go into details, but my addressing this has caused ructions at work (NHS). I have been advised to 'stand down'.

I won't. I'm in position of power, and have expertise in psychological issues and research that places me in a unique position to push this forward. I feel I have a professional obligation to do so.

However, it's hard to continue with it - it's affecting me a lot. The worst thing is being viewed with suspicion / as a 'bigot' after decades of excellent working relationships and a reputation for being professional, measured and a 'safe pair of hands'.

Colleagues mostly agree with me, and are supportive, but don't want the hassle/are too fearful of backing me publicly. I understand this, but without support from others I can see that I'm becoming demonised.

CecilyNeville - I have a very well known and respected friend in the profession who is gender critical. I am going to ask if they will co-write something. I feel awful putting this person in that positon, but agree this is what's needed.

More power to you people on this thread. I was in therapy for several years and have the utmost respect for psychotherapists. Its disgusting that highly skilled and experienced clinicians are being expected to ignore science and evidence.

Just lending my support. Well done for being brave enough to push back against this

All support to you, Edmundburke. If professionals don't stand up against this by saying what they truly think based on all their knowledge and experience, should they even be in the profession? All the more so if they don't address the issues with a patient/client. Surely it's a matter of ethics. Or are ethics out of the window now, for most people?

Thanks to both of you, and to anyone else pushing back against this. It is awful that so many people feel to afraid to address it, though it is heartening that they agree with you and the newspeak is not universally embraced. I hope they come to stand beside you.

Edmund, I am glad you feel professionally that you need to push this forward. It seems to me just utterly bizarre that those who are genuinely concerned about radical changes are branded bigots and that nobody in power is questioning that rhetoric.

I admire your courage, at the same time as wishing you didn’t have to find it, just to speak out.

Thanks all. It’s really appreciated. It’s been a particularly tough week, as things have escalated, so it’s very helpful for me to read your messages.

I agree regarding the editor of Therapy Today. I would bet money on the fact that she’s been pressured into that apology. Shame on the BACP commitee.

Can you link the article at all?
I’m currently in training to become a counsellor and I’d like to read up after trying to work it out on this thread.

Where does someone struggling to deal with someone trans in their family go?

I am a therapist and a name changer.

I keep hoping someone here might start a gender critical therapists thread. I feel I am too young and inexperienced to risk being open.

Somebody posted a heartbreaking and thoughtful blog on another thread about a girl called Crash who had detransitioned. It was exactly the kind of thing I would ordinarily share with the therapists in my network. But after reading about the letter in Therapy Today I am not sure.

I am extremely concerned that the trauma and instances of abuse in young lives will be overlooked if therapists are fearful of exploring with clients any reasons for wishing to change gender. It must seem so attractive to young women who have experienced abuse to turn into men and therefore be safe and powerful.

My other huge concern is after reading the threads about organisations such as Girl Guides and NSPCC (!!!) who appear to have neglected to send their staff on safeguarding training. Anybody who has completed safeguarding training can tell you the lengths abusers will go to to abuse positions of trust and prey on their victims. Actually anybody that reads the news too- thinking of the current Oxfam scandal.

Red, even in this current ridiculous climate, I do think one could talk freely with an experienced psychotherapist about a trans family member. My concern is more for therapists seeing trans clients, that they will be inhibited from doing their job properly by fear of being labelled transphobic.

Also Red, thank you for your amazing and informative posts of late. I have lurked on a lot of your threads!

thisisathing, edmundburke, freshlylaidturf
Another person thanking you for raising your heads on the issue. Not in your domain, but I do know what it feels like to be belittled and have concerns pooh-poohed. It is far less stressful just to not bother and I have real admiration for anyone making the effort.

Edmundburke

Be careful. Look after yourself. Good luck.

Absolute respect for you, Edmundburke and Freshlylaidterf. Wish I was as brave.