Arizona counselors use “sex addiction” to practice conversion therapy, critics say.

A LOOKOUT investigation finds that a specific group of religious-based counselors are possibly violating their certifications and licenses.

Jeffrey Hansen says he treats “porn addiction.” 

It’s not a recognized diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association—nor is any kind of sexual addiction promoted by self-described “sex addiction counselors”—but that hasn’t stopped Hansen, a licensed psychologist in Arizona who works with youth, from promoting it as a way to treat people who have difficulty with sexual compulsions. 

Hansen believes that pornography can lead people to falsely identify as gay or trans. Hansen authored a paper and a book urging parents to prevent their trans children from transitioning: “Find a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist who does not follow the gender affirmative paradigm as the sole treatment option,” he wrote. 

Gender affirmative care involves listening to trans patients when they share their identity, and supporting their decisions to align their outward appearance with their internal sense of gender…