# Mental Health Professionals

### Advice and resources for therapists who are working with MAPs

### Are you a MAP in need of therapy?

View resources

Treating MAPs
Professional Resources
Join the Conversation
Advertise Your Services

## Free Consultation

MAP Resources provides no-cost consulting services to organizations that provide support to minor-attracted people. Groups working to establish new services or improve existing offerings are eligible. Consultations include the following:

- Informal review of your support service under our Content Guidelines

- Advice and suggestions from MAPs with experience seeking support

- Accuracy check for the information provided in your promotional content

To request a consultation, reach out using the contact information on our About page and include details about your organization's service and the content of relevant online and physical promotional materials. Consultations are provided at our discretion and are dependent on staff availability.

## Treating MAPs

The first step to effectively treating minor-attracted people is learning how to approach the unique mental health needs they may have due to intense societal stigma and isolation.

### Responding to a disclosure

When a client discloses that they experience attractions to minors, your response sets the stage for any future treatment that you provide. Begin by explaining your reporting obligations and any information that may help them stay safe while discussing related topics. Reassure them that your goal is to provide support, then ask what they hope to gain by discussing their attractions with a therapist.

### Understanding a client's needs

In general, clients should be in charge of the goals for their treatment and the approach taken to achieve those goals. However, it is important to note that internalized stigma may make it hard for some MAPs to identify their own needs. For example, self-hating MAPs may desire conversion therapy or chemical castration when they would benefit more from coping mechanisms and self-acceptance

### Centering support

It can be tempting to focus on sexual abuse prevention when working with MAP clients. However, doing so without reason may worsen internalized stigma and any associated mental health issues. The vast majority of MAPs never offend, so focusing on preventing sexual offenses is only necessary and beneficial when a client expresses concern about their risk of offending or demonstrates high-risk behaviors.

### Additional information

To learn more about therapy for MAPs, check out our therapy-related blog posts and our Therapy page for MAPs seeking support. If you have questions, reach out using the contact information on our About page or ask anonymously via our feedback form.

### 35% of primary care providers have a client disclose minor attractions

## Professional Resources

MAPs often encounter pitfalls when accessing mental health services. To prevent this, some organizations provide educational materials for practitioners who work with MAPs.

### Psychotherapy for Minor-Attracted Persons

This guide answers questions that many mental health professionals have about treating MAPs. It also contains advice on developing trust with a group that has been subjected to harmful forms of "treatment."

Download

### Minor-attracted persons: A neglected population

This paper shares basic information that therapists should know about MAPs and their experiences. It also addresses common misconceptions and details acceptable forms of support for this stigmatized group.

Download

## Join the Conversation

Improving the availability and effectiveness of support for MAPs requires active discussions between MAPs, the researchers that study them, and mental health professionals.

### Dialogue on Therapy

A monthly discussion for mental health professionals to better understand the support needs of MAPs. Each meeting focuses on a specific relevant topic, and many include thoughts from both therapists and MAPs.

Sign up

### Think this page could be more helpful?

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## Advertise Your Services

A crucial part of supporting minor-attracted people is ensuring they can find you when they're looking for support. There are several organizations that can help you do just that.

### All Therapists

ASAP International

Inquire using their Contact form

### US-Based Therapists

B4U-ACT

1. Review their Principles and Perspectives of Practice and guide to Psychotherapy for MAPs

2. Send your CV and a brief statement about how your practice and perspectives reflect B4U-ACT's goals and principles to signatorylist@b4uact.org

### UK-Based Therapists

StopSO

Main focus is on offenders

1. Review their Good Practice Guidelines for Therapists

2. Complete a 3-day specialist training (£325)

3. Email info@stopso.org.uk to request a membership application form

You may be able to find additional lists for other regions on our Therapy Finder.