Some minor-attracted people would like to receive mental health services but are afraid to do so because of the lack of trust and understanding between minor-attracted people and mental health professionals. Communication between the two groups will develop the mutual understanding and trust necessary for such services to become available.
In addition, mental health professionals frequently make statements that influence public perceptions and policies regarding minor-attracted people. Such statements need to be informed by accurate, first-hand knowledge about minor-attracted people, especially about those who do not violate the law or otherwise come to the attention of professionals and the public. Such knowledge can only come from face-to-face communication. Historically, when mental health professionals have learned that popular stereotypes about stigmatized groups are inaccurate, they have challenged these stereotypes and stigmatization.
In addition, mental health professionals frequently make statements that influence public perceptions and policies regarding minor-attracted people. Such statements need to be informed by accurate, first-hand knowledge about minor-attracted people, especially about those who do not violate the law or otherwise come to the attention of professionals and the public. Such knowledge can only come from face-to-face communication. Historically, when mental health professionals have learned that popular stereotypes about stigmatized groups are inaccurate, they have challenged these stereotypes and stigmatization.
Like all people, they sometimes want mental health services to deal with issues unrelated to their sexuality, but they are reluctant to seek help because they feel they cannot be completely honest as a result of their sexuality. Some minor-attracted people seek services to help them deal with issues that result from society’s negative reactions to their sexual feelings. Others seek assistance and support in developing satisfying lives and relationships while living within the law.
No. We are trying to make services available to minor-attracted people who want them to work through issues unrelated to their sexuality, to deal with society’s response to their sexual feelings, or to develop satisfying and productive lives while living within the law. We are not advocating treatment to change sexual feelings.
Yes. We realize this can sometimes be a challenge. Part of our purpose is to provide you, if necessary, with tools for finding out for yourself how to do this.
We realize that some minor-attracted people have had very negative experiences with therapists who did not understand them, who did not value their needs, or who saw them only as criminals. We also realize that some professionals and professional organizations have made statements that severely stigmatize or stereotype minor-attracted people. However, there are also minor-attracted people who have gotten to know, or have received therapy from, professionals who reject stereotypes, who are compassionate and respectful, who are dedicated to the mental health of their minor-attracted clients, and who are open to learning more. B4U-ACT is in dialogue with such professionals.
Laws do not require the reporting of sexual feelings and desires. They require only that therapists report illegal sexual behavior, suspicions of such behavior, or plans to engage in such behavior. Therapists who have an understanding of attraction to minors realize that many minor-attracted people are able to refrain from sexual activity with minors.
We do not recommend particular professionals. Instead, we hope to give you some tools you can use to find a therapist who will meet your needs. We provide you with our Principles and Perspective of Practice as well as a list of questions you can discuss with a potential therapist to help you decide whether that therapist is right for you. We also work with mental health professionals to help them understand the needs of minor-attracted people. In these ways, we hope to empower both minor-attracted people and mental health professionals to work together for the benefit of both.
B4U-ACT is a cooperative effort of minor-attracted people and mental health professionals. Our board of directors consists of members of each group as well as laypeople. We also have a larger group of about 40 people involved in on-going dialogue who are either minor-attracted or mental health professionals.
We are always seeking to expand our circle of minor-attracted people and mental health professionals. If you are interested in helping us to promote respectful communication and mutual respect and empathy in order to make positive mental health services available, then contact us so we can learn more about you and your interest in our work.
No, we do not provide expert witnesses or other legal defense services. Our work is limited to promoting mutual respect and empathy between mental health professionals and minor-attracted people for the purpose of making compassionate and supportive mental health services available.
