California Passes Bill Banning Gay Reparative Therapy

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originally published in the huffington-post
Originally posted: 05/31/2012 3:45 pm Updated: 06/02/2012 1:54 pm in The Huffington Post


robin.wilkey@huffingtonpost.com

The California State Senate approved a bill that would make California the first state in the nation to ban the use of conversion therapy, a type of psychotherapy aimed at turning LGBT people straight, among minors.

. . . .

However, the ban is not without its critics.

The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) quickly came out against the bill on its website, citing it as inappropriate government intrusion.

“Bull,” said licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Tara Fields in response. “There are so many laws and guidelines regarding therapy because it is such a sacred resource for humans. People who come in here sometimes have serious psychological damages and it is essential that those boundaries exist.”

Fields said that, while there is little evidence supporting the success of conversion therapy, there is much evidence to support its impacts.

“There are those who have white-knuckled it and claimed that they’ve been converted. But research has shown profound negative psychological impacts, including anxiety and depression, as a result,” she told HuffPost. “And as therapists, we don’t have a right to decide what other people’s values should be.”

For the full article go to The Huffington Post

Transforming Conflict

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New and never-ending conflict may garner big ratings on certain reality shows or guarantee an invite back for season two, but for those of us who live off screen, a constant stream of conflict can keep us steeped in misery.

But there are ways to handle the inevitable disagreements and disagreeable parts of life.

Read more

Can Your Relationship Survive An Affair?

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Scandalous affairs that end relationships grab headlines in the tabloids. Think Arnold, Tiger, and Petraeus to name a few. But in real life, like yours, a relationship can survive an affair and become even stronger than before.

Over the years of counseling couples, whether famous or not, for those who are genuinely sincere about saving their relationships, it is an ongoing process to repair broken trust.

Here is the advice I have given in countless sessions that I have found works ….

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Rekindle Your Passion

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Valentines Day comes just once a year but a passionate relationship takes nurturing all 365 days of the year. Here is my advice based on both research and experience on how to rekindle the flame regardless of how dim it has become.

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Making Your Vows Last

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Take a break from looking at floral arrangements, put down those honeymoon brochures for a minute, and read this….

After many years of counseling couples, I’ve found four key issues can make or break a marriage. Below are those issues and my tips on how to ensure a happy, successful marriage follows a picture perfect ceremony.
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Why This Married Heterosexual Relationship Therapist Supports the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

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I truly believe that the institution of marriage will not change for the worse if the legal right to be married is extended to lesbian, bisexual, gay, or transgender couples.

Everybody should have the right to make a legal and spiritual commitment to the person he or she loves and wants to spend the rest of his or her life with. Read more

The 10 Ways You Fight (and How to Really Win)

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Here’s a newsflash: even the best couples fight.

It’s not conflict that drives couples apart

– in fact, a little disagreement with your spouse or partner can show commitment to the relationship. Over time, conflict can build trust in the idea that you can handle hard times together. Read more

How to find and Keep a Healthy Relationship

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How To Find And Keep A Healthy Relationship. Can you follow your heart and use your head at the same time?

How do you recognize the red flags that help you avoid Mr. or Ms. Wrong from the get go? Read more

Style Counsel

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DatebookStyle Counsel

The challenge: dress slacks for a petite woman

Tara Fields

  • The budget: $200 or less
  • The adviser: Tara Fields Ph.D., (pictured) TV and radio therapist
  • Among the possibilities: Ralph Lauren Slim chocolate-brown wool/Lycra slacks with costs (for petites), $168, at Macy’s
  • The solution: Banana Republic slim black wool/Lycra pinstriped slacks, $148, at Banana Republic, Mill Valley
  • The reasoning: “The regular sized 2 fit just like a petite 4, which I’m used to buying, but with one very important exception — they were long enough! I need pants that look professional and are comfortable enough to sit in all day when I see patients and do a three-hour radio show. And the pinstripes are classic.”
  • The last word: “As any petite woman can tell you, just because we are vertically challenged doesn’t necessarily mean we all have short legs. When it comes to finding slacks that fit, unfortunately, most are so short they’d only be good for waiting through the El Niño floods.