Issued by the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice
Press Release
For Immediate Release
29 October 2024
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AUTHORITY ADMITS REJECTION OF CHRISTIAN THERAPIST’S GROUP ACCREDITATION WAS “UNFAIR AND WRONG“
THE PROFESSIONAL Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) has admitted its treatment of an Accreditation Application by an international, Christian therapist group which helps people with unwanted same-sex attraction was “unfair and wrong.”
In June this year, the PSA turned down an application for accreditation by The International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), claiming it failed the ‘public Interest test’ of Standard 1 for Professional Registers. But the IFTCC, which has therapists working in 30 countries appealed the decision, stating the government agency had shown “blatant discrimination”, claiming its Accreditation Panel had imposed “political ideology, and a random interpretation of ‘Conversion Therapy’ – even before Parliament has debated a ‘draft Conversion Therapy Bill’.”
The IFTCC also claimed the PSA had changed its normal accreditation processes and had refused to accept evidence of clients testifying to professional help by IFTCC therapists. All other applicants had been allowed to do so via the PSA ‘Share My Experience’ opportunity.
But, after a hearing of the PSA’s Appeal Panel on September 19 – ordered by the Chair of the PSA – the IFTCC received a letter on October 25 [1] stating: “The Accreditation Panel did not, as it should have, followed its usual approach … to considering and evaluating the evidence before it.” It further admitted that the PSA had not allowed the applicant to share client testimonies because of a pre-judgement that the IFTCC carried out ‘conversion therapy’ – despite clear statement and evidence that it did not.
The Appeal Panel said: “Due to the approach the PSA had taken to the application, it had failed to address the arguments the IFTCC had raised on the research/evidence it had submitted, in reaching its conclusions.”
It concluded: “The Appeal Panel decided that the decision of the Accreditation Panel’ of 27 June 2024 … is unfair and wrong on the grounds that the PSA has deviated from its processes and has not taken due account of evidence that was submitted for an accreditation decision. Accordingly, it upheld (in part) the IFTCC’s appeal.”
As a result, the Appeal Panel has referred the matter to a new Accreditation Panel for consideration. The PSA website [2] describes its word as “helping to protect the public by improving the regulation and registration of people who work in health and care.”
Dr Mike Davidson, Chair of the IFTCC said: “We applied for accreditation because our therapists want to give the professional assurance to clients, and potential clients, that external accountability and oversight accreditation demonstrates.
“We welcome the decision of the Appeals Panel and are grateful for the care they gave to reviewing our initial application and supporting evidence, and to our appeal documentation.
“We now look forward to working constructively with a fresh Accreditation Panel, and to sharing with them evidence of public interest, especially amongst a section of the LGBTI+ community ignored by the NHS, and most healthcare providers: those with unwanted same-sex attraction, or gender dysphoria, who no longer identify as LGBT.
“We live in a culture in the West where large sections of young people experience sexuality as fluid, they may experience changes in their sexual desires and are often confused. Instead of therapy which is focused on helping the client accept and put on that ‘feeling’ as a new ‘identity’, our therapists offer a client-centered approach, helping them explore underlying issues of identity and desire, and provide tools for them to help navigate the range of internal and external pressures they may experience.
“We are confident that when the new Panel hears evidence through the ‘Share My Experience’ opportunity, they will also recognise that IFTCC therapists oppose therapist-imposed therapy goals, aversive and coercive methods, and guarantees of therapy outcomes.
“IFTCC Therapists do not attempt to change people. No therapist can change another person in regard to anything. We help people who present, stating that they want to bring about change in themselves. Our therapies are client-centered.”
- For further information about the IFTCC, visit www.iftcc.org
ENDS
For further information/interview:
Dr Mike Davidson +44 7833098998 mike.davidson@iftcc.org
IFTCC Chairman
For further media help: media@iftcc.org
Editor’s Notes
[1] For the full text of the PSA’s letter to the IFTCC dated 25 October 2024, visit https://archive.iftcc.org/appeal-outcome-and-reasons/ & https://archive.iftcc.org/summary-of-the-matter-appealed/
[2] For information about the PSA, visit Healthcare Regulation Oversight | Professional Standards Authority
Copies of all IFTCC documentation to the PSA is available from media@iftcc.org or mike.davidson@iftcc.org
[3] The PSA Accredited Appeal Panel Outcome summary can be found at https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/docs/default-source/accredited-registers/iftcc-standard-one-appeal—outcome-report-(october-2024).pdf?sfvrsn=501e4d20_1
Picture Note
A quality JPEG picture of Dr Mike Davidson is available from media@itfcc.org
Download PDF version here.
