PSYCHOTHERAPY

vs. PUBLIC OPINION

"The Lesbian differs from the so-called normal heterosexual woman only in the choice of her love object. The general public opinion is that homosexuals are mentally ill. This is far from the truth."

So stated Alice LaVero, San Francisco personal adjustment counsellor, speaking before the January public discussion meeting held by the Daughters of Bilitis.

But

Miss LaVere pointed out that some Lesbians are neurotie, some have schizophrenic tendencies, many are paranoid. many are stable, well-adjusted and useful citizens. And, she added, the same statement could apply equally well to the heterosexual,

With her husband, George Spillman, Miss LaVere runs the Personal Adjustment Bureau in San Francisco. She has received international acclaim for her work with the emotionally disturbed during her 22 years in the field.

The public tends to condemn anything unusual. It is popular in America to consider all homosexuals mentally ill, yet there is no evidence to support this theory," she declared.

"It has been my experience in counselling people over the past 22 years that the prevalence of mental illness is found equally between homosexuals and heterosexuals. Falling in love certainly is no illness, yet because the homosexual persists in falling in love with the same sex it is taken for granted that he or she is mentally ill."

Many treatments are now used to cure this "illness", Miss LaVere pointed out. Among them are electric shock, use of herbs and drugs, testosterone (the male hormone), and oven lobotomy.

"These treatments have left many emotionally crippled for the rest of their lives," she declared, adding that they are all practically useless since treatment hinges only on the subject and the therapist.

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