The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy have come up with. Definition of "woman"....

[BertrandRussell]

...and I have very rarely been so angry.

I remember the "assigned northern at birth" thread.

Notice that "rational" is a man-trait.

Meg-John, the 1950s called, they want their stereotypes back. In fact, scratch that, the 1850s want their stereotypes back.

Can you post the bit about relationships between therapists and patients? Not only is that wildly unethical in any situation between client and service provider because of the power imbalance, surely in the therapeutic setting there's a whole additional layer of problems in that "transference" is a well documented, well observed phenomenon where (in my layman's terms) "getting a crush on your therapist" is an incredibly common part of the therapeutic process, and is there to be worked round by the therapist, not taken advantage of.

God the more I read about these people trying to break down safeguarding boundaries, the more they seem creepy as fuck.

God the more I read about these people trying to break down safeguarding boundaries, the more they seem creepy as fuck.

Oh yes.

Absolutely. That's the entire foundational premise of queer theory bollocks like this. At the most generous interpretation possible, personal boundaries are for conventional square boring people.

I wonder if this thread will once again get deleted because we're forbidden to talk about the connection between queer theory and the idea that pedophilia is a legit sexual orientation even when it's the queer theorists themselves saying so.

“I wonder if this thread will once again get deleted because we're forbidden to talk about the connection between queer theory and the idea that pedophilia is a legit sexual orientation even when it's the queer theorists themselves saying so.”

I didn’t know we were’t allowed to talk about that......

Please write to them, tweet. email etc

We now know that sexist stereotypes cause harm to girls, like we ever didn't know! Can they define black? Asian? White? Or wouldn't they dare..

While I agree that it's a problem in parts of the wider "kink" community, AAK (DC dressing in nappies and a dress while raping and torturing a 10 year old), in this instance I was thinking of abusive behaviour towards vulnerable adults - namely patients in therapy. As far as I am aware, there is nothing in the document this thread is about to suggest that the authors in any way think paedophilia is acceptable, and we should be clear on that so as not to get the thread pulled.

In the context of counselling/psychotherapy which is a discipline involving vulnerable mentally unstable people and the often vulnerable people surrounding them who could also be affected or even harmed by their actions it is concerning and needs to be challenged.

The line between sex work and therapy is not necessarily that clear, perhaps explaining why some therapists struggle with sex worker clients. Both professions involve an intimate relationship with clients, exchanging money for emotional labour, and maintaining clear relational boundaries.

I would not be going to a therapist who thinks there isn’t a clear line between having therapy and having sex.

Maybe if we write WE'RE TALKING ABOUT QUEER THEORY, NOT TRANS PEOPLE at the bottom of every comment they'll take their fingers off the delete button.

in this instance I was thinking of abusive behaviour towards vulnerable adults

Yes me too. And the validation of abusive behaviour to others as acceptable.

In the context of counselling/psychotherapy which is a discipline involving vulnerable mentally unstable people and the often vulnerable people surrounding them who could also be affected or even harmed by their actions it is concerning and needs to be challenged.

It's worth adding that this notion that it's now acceptable for therapists to have relationships with clients is interesting when more and more children and young people - are being referred to therapists.

Is "don't sleep with your patients" not a guideline that applies to every medical affiliated profession? Why should therapists be the exception?

Hmm, I've had a look at the actual guidelines and it does clearly say that counsellors shouldn't have a sexual relationship with clients, but there is something that has changed in this edition from the previous, I'm not sure what, it might have been something to do with relationships after the counselling has finished. I'll ask my counsellor friend next time I see her. Just reading this prompted me to remember the previous conversation I had with her and I linked the two things together.

RE above, never mind, the stuff about Gayle Rubin is on the other thread (so they'll probably delete that one).

Wait...
Are they saying I'm not a proper feminine woman because I'm autistic?
Like... head-tilt bless-her sort-of thing?

Where's my agency in deciding to eschew femininity for political reasons?
What about the fact I'm a dyke?

Apparently you can't help it, Super, so you get a special "permitted not to perform femininity" certificate. You don't actually have a choice (perish the thought).

“Is "don't sleep with your patients" not a guideline that applies to every medical affiliated profession? Why should therapists be the exception?”

Well, it’s never been an exception, but male therapists sleeping with their clients has always been a “thing”. It’s very easy to convince a vulnerable woman that it’s therapeutic.

“The line between sex work and therapy is not necessarily that clear, perhaps explaining why some therapists struggle with sex worker clients. Both professions involve an intimate relationship with clients, exchanging money for emotional labour, and maintaining clear relational boundaries.”

Jesus H. Christ.

As annoying as this definition of woman is I'm not getting too hot under the collar about it. We all know what a woman is as do the majority of the population. Remember this definition is from counsellors and psychotherapists, anyone can claim to be one. AFAIK there is no reugulatory framework for these "professions" so anything they say can be looked on with a large degree of scepticism.

This seems to be an official document being issued to members, though, so it can't be handwaved away as just a random weirdo babbling nonsense. If these are the suggested best practices then BACP members are expected to follow them.

This is the regulatory framework for one of the main professional bodies for counsellors. Yes, anyone can set themselves up as a counsellor, but people looking for an experienced counsellor with a regulatory body behind them are advised to look for bacp membership. On the other hand I don't think it will make much difference to the practice of existing counsellors, but I worry about the messages it's sending to new ones.

Thanks for that Everard. Are cousenllors and psychotherapists legally required to hold specific qualification like for example, a nurse?

There are minimum requirements for bacp in relation to training and ongoing practice, yes, they are set out here - www.bacp.co.uk/membership/home/

That is utter bollocks.