Child Seeking Therapy Case

“A 13 year-old walks into a Mental Health Center and asks to talk to someone. Therapist K sees client who indicates many personal and family problems, including severe physical abuse at home. Client asks therapist not to discuss the case with anyone, especially his parents. Therapist explains his options with client, states that he cannot offer treatment to anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent, and expresses his duty to report suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services. Client feels betrayed” (Remley et al. 2007). As seen in the case, a 13-years-old boy is seeking therapy. The boy is a minor who came to the clinic without his parents’ consent. It seems that the boy has a lot of problems with his family, thus he cannot
Mr. M is 23-years-old Christian male living in Egypt, and almost finishing his bachelors. Mr. M had homosexual urges since he was 15 years old. He thought at the beginning that those urges are just a product of puberty, and they will diminish when he grows up. In Egypt, homosexuality is not acceptable neither legally nor culturally. There are great consequences for someone identifying as a homosexual, such as: bullying, attacks (sexually, physically, or verbally), disownment from parents, and prison. Mr. M was having a lot of anxiety over the issue, and he went to seek the help of a priest in his church. The priest advised him to go to church more often, and involve himself in church activities. In other words, the priest said if Mr. M kept his mind busy with church activities, he will ignore those urges. Mr. M did as the priest requested, but that did not help. So, Mr. M went multiple times to the priest seeking help, until the priest referred him to a psychiatrist that is known in the church. Again, homosexuality in Egypt is not acceptable, so therapists there practice always reversion therapies. Mr. M went first time to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist prescribed an antidepressant drug and gave him a book to read on the first visit. Mr. M started following the treatment and thought he can finally get rid of his homosexual urges. The psychiatrist also made him attend group
M how to accept homosexuality and be in a risk for bullying and criminalization by the government? Or conduct a conversion therapy which is considered unethical and unproductive? Mr. M also seemed like a religious person who likes his religion, and does want to abandon it. If I were to take this case, I would try to use the religious approach by telling Mr. M that the bible can interpreted in many ways. In fact, many people interpreted that homosexuality is not as negative in the bible as people think. If I can enlighten Mr. M about some of the theories that talk about how Christianity and homosexuality can coexist, maybe he would be more relieved about his urges. Later, although homosexuality in Egypt is illegal, that does not mean there are no homosexuals or LGBTQ community there. Mr. M mentioned that he knew few people who identify as gay, but they are discreet. He does not feel very comfortable with them because he is afraid that they out him. I would inform Mr. M that he can reach out to those friends. By seeing some people who are comfortable of their sexuality, maybe it will give