Advocates for Children in Therapy

Introduction

Advocates for Children in Therapy (ACT) is an advocacy group led by Linda Rosa, RN, Executive Director, her spouse Larry Sarner, and Jean Mercer. A 501(c)(3) non-profit group whose mission is to provide advocacy by "Raising general public awareness of the dangers and cruelty of such practices." (see http://www.childrenintherapy.org/library/mission.html for details). Together these three leaders of ACT have printed a book, "Attachment Therapy on Trial: The torture and death of Candice Newmaker," and market and sell the book to advance their agenda, "An exposé by ACT authors, published by Praeger".

Acceptance by Mental Health Profession

Advocacy groups have a legitimate place in the American political scene. This group is not recongized by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Associaiton, Ameerican Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers, or any other large professional organizations. As such it is not part of the mainstream mental health professional community.

Advocacy

The group has advocated for the elimination of holding therapy, rebirthing therapy, and other clearly invasive and coercive methods; all of which are not generally considered acceptable practice by licensed mental health providers.