The California Board of Behavioral Sciences lists "ex-gay" organization National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) (you may recall that dangerous "ex-gay" quack Dr. George Alan Rekers sat on its board) as an accredited organization from which Licensed Educational Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers can receive credits toward license renewal.
From a reader:
I was wondering if you could help me raise awareness about in issue. I am a Licensed Educational Psychologist here in Los Angeles. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences is responsible for licensing LEPs, MFTs, and LCSWs here in California. I was recently looking at BBS website in order to determine which organizations I could obtain my continuing education credits from in order to renew my license. Much to my shock and sadness, the BBS accepts CEUs from NARTH. I am absolutely appalled. No therapist in California should be able to renew their license by obtaining CEUs from this hateful organization. "Homosexual conversion therapy" is not supported by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, or the American Counselors Association. I have written the the BBS with my concerns, but I have not heard back. Could you help me bring attention to this issue? We need to get them removed from this list ASAP.
Here's a PDF of the CE Provider list as of May 1, 2011, from the CBBS.
NARTH is #1240 on the list.
Here's info for those of you interested in contacting the BBS about this dangerous inclusion.
Per comments, the Continuing Education Coordinator for the CBBS can be contacted at Patricia.Fay@dca.ca.gov.
Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 N Market Blvd., Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
- Kim Madsen, Executive Officer
- Tracy Rhine – Assistant Executive Officer
BBS Main Phone Line: (916) 574-7830
BBS Main Fax: (916) 574-8625