Why I am Anti-Behaviorism :
Simply put because every individual has the right to be who they were born to be, even if society finds it inconvenient.
Behaviorism is focused on changing behaviors-outward expressions of distress, personality, and self-regulation that are often either secondary to the individuals mental health needs, or more critically seek to control or cover up the individuals personality or neuro-type. Behaviorism is key in both Applied Behavior Analysis-aimed at forcing neuro-divergent individuals to behave like their neuro-typical counterparts, and in conversion therapy-aimed at forcing the LGBTQAI+ community to conform to heteronormative expectations. Both ABA and Conversion therapy have been show to cause trauma and harm.
New Forest Counseling is and will always be opposed to ABA, conversion therapy and any form of behaviorism. We accept you, your family, and your child where you are and will support you on your journey to being your most authentic self.
Resources:
If you are interested in learning more regarding affirming resources and how behaviorism, ABA, and conversion therapy, creates harm and trauma within the Autism and LGBTQAI+ communities please check out the following resources.
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Henny Kupferstein: https://hennyk.com
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The Great ABA Opposition Resource List: https://stopabasupportautistics.home.blog/2019/08/11/the-great-big-aba-opposition-resource-list/
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Trevor Project on Conversion Therapy: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/conversion-therapy-report/
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