December 18, 2013 - The relationship between medicine and religion has never made a ton of sense to me. Often times there's seems to be a conflict between the scientific possibilities of medicine and the "moral" doctorines of religion. Many hospitals are religiously affiliated and refuse to offer birth control and abortions despite the medical potential of such procedures, and the way some religions advocate dangerous practices regarding mental health care seem in particular conflict to me, which is part of why I find Mary's occupation interesting in light of her religious affiliation.

Fortunately one of the largest promoters of "conversion" therapy recently came out (pun intended) and renounced the practice and his particular sect just this past year, but it's difficult to gauge how much damage the practice actually caused and what help victims were able to find. Even before this event happened I wanted it to be a big part of Mary's background and her attempt to overcome the harm it did to her be a motivating force in her decision to be a therapist. There's unfortunately quite a few bad therapists out there, and it was important to me that Mary was very conscious of this unfortunate situation with her field and making every effort herself to rise above such problems and be an example of how to conduct oneself appropriately in the field.

-D