A PSYCHOTHERAPIST has spoken out against “disrespectful” gay cure therapies.

Corinne Lowry, who works in New Barnet, has called the so-called practice “unethical and harmful” and is calling for it to stop.

In the UK, people can be referred by an NHS professional to a psychotherapist for “gay conversion therapy” which can include vomit-inducing drugs and electric shock treatment.

Ms Lowry is now keen to reach out to people who are struggling to come to terms with the fact they are gay to ensure they visit a registered, qualified therapist.

Ms Lowry said: “Being gay is not a disease. Implying that someone could or should be 'cured' of it is unethical.' 

“The idea of gay conversion therapy implies that there is something wrong with being gay when there is not."   

“Suggesting this is both unethical and potentially harmful. A good psychotherapist should never put their agenda over that of their client. 

"The point of therapy is to help someone make sense of the difficulties they are experiencing and finding out a way of being at ease, or more at ease, with who they are. It should come from a place of respect for our clients' sexuality."  

Earlier this month, Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer, who is in a same sex marriage, called on the Government to ban the practice.

But health minister Jane Ellison says there are no plans to ban or restrict it.

Ms Lowry said the major professional bodies overseeing psychotherapists signed a memorandum to ensure all respect their clients’ sexuality, which is also written in the Code of Ethics. 

She added: “If someone came to me and asked to be cured of being gay, I’d ask them why. What makes them think of it as a disease? I would not judge that statement but be curious and explore with them what makes them live it this way and want to be 'cured'."