For the last few months, I have been reading parent accounts of how some people in the medical, mental health and educational fields have hurt your children and helped pull families apart. You understandably tell each other to stay away from these providers all together because you never know who you can trust. I have found myself in the same situation.
You wrote: "I believe that this is the most chilling of everything that I have seen, because I know how detrimental it is to put a wedge between parent and child, and how unbelievably vulnerable a child is once that wedge is in place." This true statement sums it up as the transgender cult ideology and its purpose is not only to put the wedge between parent and child, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, families and friends but NOW the teachers, doctors and therapists are the ones who are hammering in this wedge! Who can we trust? Who will speak up for our lost and confused children? I hope you find your voice...
THANK YOU for writing this article. It is wonderful and very reassuring to know there are at least SOME of you out there. HOWEVER...I MUST point out that when you say you wish more "could" speak out.... "understand why" they don't - I DO NOT AGREE. I THINK THEY ARE WRONG for not speaking up. Yes I clicked the link, and yes I read the article. Of course I feel empathy for that teacher and the hundreds if not thousands who are losing jobs all across the country (and throughout all Western nations actually) who are being unfairly targeted like that! People are losing their careers, livelihoods, FAMILIES, marriages, relationships with friends, children, relationships with their neighbors...and good standing they had in their communities, etc. I am one of those. We are losing A LOT for standing up. THAT IS NOT a valid reason to remain silent. SO MANY throughout the history of this planet have lost everything for doing what is right. Lost thier LIVES even. Countless. This is HUGE. This is mass child abuse, mass child endangerment, mass child sacrifice - akin to tossing babies into volcanoes to satisfy Moloch. I do not think that comparriaon is hyperbole. This is the legal DESTRUCTION of these childrens' lives! THAT WARRENTS THE LOSS OF A CAREER. Period. Sorry...it just does. That doesn't make it less tragic and unfair. But many many things in this life are more important that our careers! Saving the lives of innocent children is up at the top of the list.
Thank you for this post! For a parent who has a child that is struggling w/ this identity crisis it’s pushed me as a parent to ask the therapist the tough ?’s is your practice gender affirming , do use pronouns and why? What is scientific evidence that supports transgenderism, what are your personal beliefs & values? What are the best practices that help promote healing? In return I speak up and stand firm in our beliefs, in the value we place in finding the best care possible w/out fear or judgement from anyone! I’m the loudest voice for my daughter, I find confort and strength in my faith as a Christian, I recognize this as spiritual warfare against all who want to protest the healing of a the physical body, mental well being, the healthy mindset of our youth! I pray for those who persecute me, my family, protection fir the therapists who want to actually help not harm who are willing to take a stand against the evil agenda set out by the devil himself. He is working OT to turn us all against each other but we have the power of prayer to shut him down, to not believe the lies, not align ourselves w/the trans idelogy, not to fight against each other! To ❤️ and forgive, to repent of falling victim to the lies and to fully love NOT affirm our youth in lies!
I want to ask you a tough question, and because you care, the question will be painful to consider.
You obviously care about the children. Do you care enough about them to risk it all - career, income, professional standing - to save even one of them from the insanity that is going on?
You're the one who has to look in the mirror every morning and love the person that you see there. And I believe you are honest enough to realize that the only way you can love yourself is to do what you know, in your heart, is the right thing.
There are lots of us out here who will stand by you. Your bravery will not go unnoticed, nor will it be unrewarded, but like all acts of bravery, it won't be easy and most likely, it will be scary as hell.
It's your life. How do you want to live it? Courageously, or cowering and wondering what you should do? But you already know what you should do, don't you?
Be brave. Face the world. And if there's anything I can do to support you, just ask.
Thank you so much to everyone that took the time to read this piece and give a response. I wrote this as a way to both show support and to rally other therapists, doctors and educators that may be wondering how to join the fight. I am so humbled by the stories that I have heard from parents, and if I can give even one of you a glimmer of hope that these tides will turn, than I consider this a successful endeavor.
Thank you for this important, excellent post. I went to look at comments and immediately see religious propaganda, telling us to trust in a god that doesn't exist and "repent."
Please, please, do not let this other (religious) cult take over from the few people bravely fighting the trans cult.
Bev Jo, I totally agree. I can understand why some people would see this issue as an archetypal fight between good and evil. But there are so many friends and colleagues I WISH I could direct to this website -- and I can't, because if they saw references to "Satan" and Bible verses they would immediately discount the stories. Same regarding all the "world conspiracy" posts that are written by political propagandists, not parents. It's unfortunate and detracts from the website.
Thank you! That is the best solution -- keep that crazy language off this site. I certainly wouldn't read a site with that in it because it's ludicrous fantasy, and religion is responsible for most of the murders and wars throughout history.
I'm so relieved that none of that is in the excellent book.
Religious propaganda? What exactly is the propaganda that I’m spreading? I’m telling the truth. There is only one way back. If you don’t see that this is a fight between good and evil, and that it’s a spiritual fight, then I’m afraid you are lost. I hope and pray that the blinders are removed from your eyes, before it’s too late. God Bless you.
While I am moved by most of what you said, at this time in our country’s history, this is no time for indecision or worrying about our jobs. This is a very evil and demonic specter we are fighting. If we do not stand up and fight back we will lose our kids, and we will lose our country.
This is not a physical fight. It’s much deeper than that. It’s a fight for our nation’s soul and therefore, it’s a spiritual fight. Our only hope is to repent of our sins, and put God back at the head of our country.
The time for arguing and bickering is over. We cannot afford to fight with each other, and fight these demons at the same time. Repent. Pray. Be good to your family and your neighbors. God is our only hope. We cannot do this alone.
I see many desperate parents voicing their appreciation for this post, but I have immense frustration with clinicians and therapists who know the horrific reality of the situation but feel there is nothing they can do. They're sorry. Their hands are tied. They'll lose their job. But don't worry, they're here to tell us that we were right all along about the most blindingly obvious medical scandal of our lifetime. That we are correct about the cult-addled teachers and therapists and doctors who are working tirelessly to destroy our children and our families. I appreciate the honesty, but believe me — we already know.
For heaven's sake, you're posting on a site started by parents that have something much more precious to lose than their jobs! Get yourself a goddamned protonmail account and start contacting colleagues. Find allies, band together and find your voice. Write anonymous op-eds. Get on Twitter. Contact your legislators. With any luck, you might be spared the shame that could (and absolutely should) thoroughly discredit your profession for the foreseeable future.
As clinicians we make choices. Some of us are choosing to fight this battle one child and one family at a time. Each time a child desists another cut is made in the armor of trans propaganda. The desisters are the true threat to the foundation of the fake clinical category of GD and the utterly misguiding notion of “transition or suicide”.
Linoak, it was your post that made me feel like I needed to start responding to these comments. You have every right to be mad at people like me for being afraid to speak out, and please know that I am absolutely working towards finding my path out of anonymity. This was my first step, and I plan to make many more. My hesitation at being public is far less to protect myself as much as it is to protect my child. They are still young and not ready to face the backlash I know would eventually come at them. We are talking more and more about how important it is for people to speak up about these issues, and I am hopeful that in the near future my child will be ready to face whatever comes their way. Thank you for being so honest, I need to hear these kinds of words to help me move forward.
Thank you so much truth telling and careful explanation of what dangers our children and grandchildren now need to encounter in their daily lives. Such a shame that our politicians now legislate to encourage gender dysmorphia (going against family) and teachers seemingly being made to go along with the open any gender you want to be acceptance trend.
Your letter gives one hope that the tide will turn away from 'affirmation only' care. I believe in twenty to fifty years from now this era will be looked upon as a grave and dark period in mental and medical health practices for children.
As a parent of two transgender identifying children, I tread a very fine line trying to maintain a positive relationship with my kids. Something I'm not dong very well. I do believe therapists hold way too much power with young, impressionable minds now. We used to raise our children with an array of adults around who were family; aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins. That has been replaced by psychologists and doctors. People who seem to view parents as an enemy force, at least that's how it feels when one questions a child's belief that they are transgender.
It's a shame there aren't more therapists that share your beliefs and dedication to children and who look at the bigger picture, but hopefully there will be soon.
Sooz, you are so right, providers have way too much power in this while parents have been stripped of it. Please know some of us are trying to put things back the way they should be.
As I read your post, once again, I feel this awful knot in my stomach. It feels the same as if coming upon some puppy or kitten cringing in a trash can as a gang of thugs throw stones at it. In a situation like that, any responsible human would race in kicking and screaming to beat the criminals away and rescue the poor animal. I feel as if I'm in some strange netherworld where normally sane people are acting insane. They've sealed their consciences off from what they are seeing before their very eyes.
My heart aches as I read your post. How bizarre that if a therapist like yourself actually speaks out against the system - 'you would be required to affirm them or face losing your license, and you would be expected to report parents if they do not fully support'. How Maoist. What world are we living in? This seems to be the deliberate dismantling of the family unit. To what end???? Thank you so much for sharing your side of the experience - it matters deeply.
I am a California-licensed clinical psychologist who works with gender-distressed youth and their families. I neither affirm nor negate a client's stated gender identity. It is critical for therapists and parents to know that therapists are NOT legally required to affirm a client's stated gender identity. The American Psychological Association's recommendations are to affirm, but they are recommendations, which they themselves describe as "aspirational." They are NOT legally binding.
Jellyfish Dreams, you are very right, it is not legally binding, but it is still not totally safe. I have several friends that have faced the board in CA for trying to provide non-affirming services, and one has already lost their job. My biggest issue is not so much fear of losing my license for not affirming, my fear is that I would be in danger of facing ramifications for not reporting parents for not-affirming. I am also not comfortable referring a child to another therapist for gender services if I am asked to do it, and as soon as I would refuse, I would be on blast as anti-trans. There is such a tumultuous relationship between schools, doctors and therapists that are not on the same page, it just feels like it is too much to navigate without more preparation.
Hi Elle Gray, thank you for your response. You wrote that "I would be required to affirm them or face losing my license." Can you please clarify what you mean by "required" since there is no legal requirement? There is also no legal requirement to report parents for not affirming. Like you, I do not refer to therapists who I don't know with certainty are not affirming, only to colleagues who take an exploratory approach. If someone asked me for a referral to a gender-affirming therapist (no one has ever done so), I would say I don't know anyone. Can you share more about the basis on which your friends had to face the Board, which also doesn't require affirmation? I have heard of a couple of therapists who were investigated by the Board due to complaints about "unprofessional conduct" due to posts on social media (neither were found to have violated any codes of conduct). On what basis did your friend lose their job? It is a tricky landscape to navigate, but we are also not required by any law or regulatory agency to practice the gender-affirmative approach.
I am not comfortable providing any specific details regarding the individuals in California, but in all of the situations, they were mental health providers that were accused of conversion therapy and had to defend themselves from the accusation.
As I stated in my previous response you are absolutely correct, as of now there is no legal requirement to affirm. I should have been clearer in my words in my original essay and stated that, due to the fear of being accused of conversion therapy, I would feel like I am required to confirm to avoid it. It was a hyperbolic statement that admittedly needed clarification, and I appreciate you pointing it out. That said, I do feel that the lack of clear guidelines as to what actually determines conversion therapy puts all providers in danger. You indicated that in your practice you work specifically with families on gender related issues in a non-affirmative way, and I commend you for it. I do notice that on this platform you use a name that I assume is not the one on your license, so perhaps you also share concerns about the danger of being too public. Regardless, I am so grateful that there are clinicians like yourself that are providing these needed services, and I hope more will join.
Many therapists do either feel or believe that they are required to affirm. That is why it is so important for therapists and parents to know this is not true. I've seen this claim before and I'm afraid that it misguides therapists and parents and that it is in everyone's best interest to know that it is not true.
Regarding your friends, I understand not wanting to share details. The only way I understand how such a situation can occur is if a patient him- or herself, or a parent of a minor, files a complaint alleging conversion therapy. The parents of kids I treat contact me because they know where I stand (I'm against medicalization of youth, see social transition as starting on a path towards medicalization, know ROGD to be a valid phenomenon, etc.), and I know their positions. In my work with patients, I take as much of a neutral position as I can.
California bill SB 1172 on conversion therapy, i.e., sexual orientation change efforts, states: (b) (1) “Sexual orientation change efforts” means any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.
(2) “Sexual orientation change efforts” does not include psychotherapies that: (A) provide acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or the facilitation of clients’ coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices; and (B) do not seek to change sexual orientation."
Some professional organizations also include "gender identity" along with sexual orientation in their position statements condemning SOCE. This would require a therapist to actively and intentionally attempt to change someone's gender identity. If a therapist is in fact engaging in such an effort, that is indeed unethical and certainly not our task.
I am anonymous online (and have been even before getting into this particular niche) for a number of reasons, one of which is not wanting to be harassed by activists. I have been accused by individuals (other therapists) for statements I've made on listservs, in papers, or elsewhere about the state of the evidence regarding youth gender medicine as well as the various developmental pathways to gender dysphoria and trans identity. They could contact the Board if they wanted, but they have no basis upon which to file a complaint.
Thank you so much for the courage it has taken you to speak out and do what is right no matter what it may cost! We need MORE like you!!!!! God bless you!
You wrote: "I believe that this is the most chilling of everything that I have seen, because I know how detrimental it is to put a wedge between parent and child, and how unbelievably vulnerable a child is once that wedge is in place." This true statement sums it up as the transgender cult ideology and its purpose is not only to put the wedge between parent and child, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, families and friends but NOW the teachers, doctors and therapists are the ones who are hammering in this wedge! Who can we trust? Who will speak up for our lost and confused children? I hope you find your voice...
THANK YOU for writing this article. It is wonderful and very reassuring to know there are at least SOME of you out there. HOWEVER...I MUST point out that when you say you wish more "could" speak out.... "understand why" they don't - I DO NOT AGREE. I THINK THEY ARE WRONG for not speaking up. Yes I clicked the link, and yes I read the article. Of course I feel empathy for that teacher and the hundreds if not thousands who are losing jobs all across the country (and throughout all Western nations actually) who are being unfairly targeted like that! People are losing their careers, livelihoods, FAMILIES, marriages, relationships with friends, children, relationships with their neighbors...and good standing they had in their communities, etc. I am one of those. We are losing A LOT for standing up. THAT IS NOT a valid reason to remain silent. SO MANY throughout the history of this planet have lost everything for doing what is right. Lost thier LIVES even. Countless. This is HUGE. This is mass child abuse, mass child endangerment, mass child sacrifice - akin to tossing babies into volcanoes to satisfy Moloch. I do not think that comparriaon is hyperbole. This is the legal DESTRUCTION of these childrens' lives! THAT WARRENTS THE LOSS OF A CAREER. Period. Sorry...it just does. That doesn't make it less tragic and unfair. But many many things in this life are more important that our careers! Saving the lives of innocent children is up at the top of the list.
Hello there. I am a child psychiatrist fighting this battle for 15 years. I find it odd you seem unaware many have come before you.
https://thefederalist.com/2021/11/11/therapists-have-betrayed-the-parents-of-gender-confused-kids-and-therell-be-hell-to-pay/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510777741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_DQ1S2DZXAQN35KAAVVHP
Thank you for this post! For a parent who has a child that is struggling w/ this identity crisis it’s pushed me as a parent to ask the therapist the tough ?’s is your practice gender affirming , do use pronouns and why? What is scientific evidence that supports transgenderism, what are your personal beliefs & values? What are the best practices that help promote healing? In return I speak up and stand firm in our beliefs, in the value we place in finding the best care possible w/out fear or judgement from anyone! I’m the loudest voice for my daughter, I find confort and strength in my faith as a Christian, I recognize this as spiritual warfare against all who want to protest the healing of a the physical body, mental well being, the healthy mindset of our youth! I pray for those who persecute me, my family, protection fir the therapists who want to actually help not harm who are willing to take a stand against the evil agenda set out by the devil himself. He is working OT to turn us all against each other but we have the power of prayer to shut him down, to not believe the lies, not align ourselves w/the trans idelogy, not to fight against each other! To ❤️ and forgive, to repent of falling victim to the lies and to fully love NOT affirm our youth in lies!
I want to ask you a tough question, and because you care, the question will be painful to consider.
You obviously care about the children. Do you care enough about them to risk it all - career, income, professional standing - to save even one of them from the insanity that is going on?
You're the one who has to look in the mirror every morning and love the person that you see there. And I believe you are honest enough to realize that the only way you can love yourself is to do what you know, in your heart, is the right thing.
There are lots of us out here who will stand by you. Your bravery will not go unnoticed, nor will it be unrewarded, but like all acts of bravery, it won't be easy and most likely, it will be scary as hell.
It's your life. How do you want to live it? Courageously, or cowering and wondering what you should do? But you already know what you should do, don't you?
Be brave. Face the world. And if there's anything I can do to support you, just ask.
Thank you so much to everyone that took the time to read this piece and give a response. I wrote this as a way to both show support and to rally other therapists, doctors and educators that may be wondering how to join the fight. I am so humbled by the stories that I have heard from parents, and if I can give even one of you a glimmer of hope that these tides will turn, than I consider this a successful endeavor.
Thank you for this important, excellent post. I went to look at comments and immediately see religious propaganda, telling us to trust in a god that doesn't exist and "repent."
Please, please, do not let this other (religious) cult take over from the few people bravely fighting the trans cult.
Bev Jo, I totally agree. I can understand why some people would see this issue as an archetypal fight between good and evil. But there are so many friends and colleagues I WISH I could direct to this website -- and I can't, because if they saw references to "Satan" and Bible verses they would immediately discount the stories. Same regarding all the "world conspiracy" posts that are written by political propagandists, not parents. It's unfortunate and detracts from the website.
Is it possible to remove apocalyptic nonsense comments?
Thank you! That is the best solution -- keep that crazy language off this site. I certainly wouldn't read a site with that in it because it's ludicrous fantasy, and religion is responsible for most of the murders and wars throughout history.
I'm so relieved that none of that is in the excellent book.
Religious propaganda? What exactly is the propaganda that I’m spreading? I’m telling the truth. There is only one way back. If you don’t see that this is a fight between good and evil, and that it’s a spiritual fight, then I’m afraid you are lost. I hope and pray that the blinders are removed from your eyes, before it’s too late. God Bless you.
Lord help us to seek the truth, but spare us the company of those who have already found it. Amen.
While I am moved by most of what you said, at this time in our country’s history, this is no time for indecision or worrying about our jobs. This is a very evil and demonic specter we are fighting. If we do not stand up and fight back we will lose our kids, and we will lose our country.
This is not a physical fight. It’s much deeper than that. It’s a fight for our nation’s soul and therefore, it’s a spiritual fight. Our only hope is to repent of our sins, and put God back at the head of our country.
The time for arguing and bickering is over. We cannot afford to fight with each other, and fight these demons at the same time. Repent. Pray. Be good to your family and your neighbors. God is our only hope. We cannot do this alone.
I see many desperate parents voicing their appreciation for this post, but I have immense frustration with clinicians and therapists who know the horrific reality of the situation but feel there is nothing they can do. They're sorry. Their hands are tied. They'll lose their job. But don't worry, they're here to tell us that we were right all along about the most blindingly obvious medical scandal of our lifetime. That we are correct about the cult-addled teachers and therapists and doctors who are working tirelessly to destroy our children and our families. I appreciate the honesty, but believe me — we already know.
For heaven's sake, you're posting on a site started by parents that have something much more precious to lose than their jobs! Get yourself a goddamned protonmail account and start contacting colleagues. Find allies, band together and find your voice. Write anonymous op-eds. Get on Twitter. Contact your legislators. With any luck, you might be spared the shame that could (and absolutely should) thoroughly discredit your profession for the foreseeable future.
As clinicians we make choices. Some of us are choosing to fight this battle one child and one family at a time. Each time a child desists another cut is made in the armor of trans propaganda. The desisters are the true threat to the foundation of the fake clinical category of GD and the utterly misguiding notion of “transition or suicide”.
Linoak, it was your post that made me feel like I needed to start responding to these comments. You have every right to be mad at people like me for being afraid to speak out, and please know that I am absolutely working towards finding my path out of anonymity. This was my first step, and I plan to make many more. My hesitation at being public is far less to protect myself as much as it is to protect my child. They are still young and not ready to face the backlash I know would eventually come at them. We are talking more and more about how important it is for people to speak up about these issues, and I am hopeful that in the near future my child will be ready to face whatever comes their way. Thank you for being so honest, I need to hear these kinds of words to help me move forward.
Thank you so much truth telling and careful explanation of what dangers our children and grandchildren now need to encounter in their daily lives. Such a shame that our politicians now legislate to encourage gender dysmorphia (going against family) and teachers seemingly being made to go along with the open any gender you want to be acceptance trend.
Thank you for your willingness to stand for our children. We need many more of you with the same mindset.
Your letter gives one hope that the tide will turn away from 'affirmation only' care. I believe in twenty to fifty years from now this era will be looked upon as a grave and dark period in mental and medical health practices for children.
As a parent of two transgender identifying children, I tread a very fine line trying to maintain a positive relationship with my kids. Something I'm not dong very well. I do believe therapists hold way too much power with young, impressionable minds now. We used to raise our children with an array of adults around who were family; aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins. That has been replaced by psychologists and doctors. People who seem to view parents as an enemy force, at least that's how it feels when one questions a child's belief that they are transgender.
It's a shame there aren't more therapists that share your beliefs and dedication to children and who look at the bigger picture, but hopefully there will be soon.
Sooz, you are so right, providers have way too much power in this while parents have been stripped of it. Please know some of us are trying to put things back the way they should be.
Thank you Elle. It's reassuring to hear this.
As I read your post, once again, I feel this awful knot in my stomach. It feels the same as if coming upon some puppy or kitten cringing in a trash can as a gang of thugs throw stones at it. In a situation like that, any responsible human would race in kicking and screaming to beat the criminals away and rescue the poor animal. I feel as if I'm in some strange netherworld where normally sane people are acting insane. They've sealed their consciences off from what they are seeing before their very eyes.
My heart aches as I read your post. How bizarre that if a therapist like yourself actually speaks out against the system - 'you would be required to affirm them or face losing your license, and you would be expected to report parents if they do not fully support'. How Maoist. What world are we living in? This seems to be the deliberate dismantling of the family unit. To what end???? Thank you so much for sharing your side of the experience - it matters deeply.
Your puppy or kitten analogy is powerful, and so true. I actually gasped as I read it. Thank you.
Anna, I absolutely agree, it does seem like we are living in an authoritarian world on this issue. I relate to that knotted stomach feeling.
Thank you.
I am a California-licensed clinical psychologist who works with gender-distressed youth and their families. I neither affirm nor negate a client's stated gender identity. It is critical for therapists and parents to know that therapists are NOT legally required to affirm a client's stated gender identity. The American Psychological Association's recommendations are to affirm, but they are recommendations, which they themselves describe as "aspirational." They are NOT legally binding.
Jellyfish Dreams, you are very right, it is not legally binding, but it is still not totally safe. I have several friends that have faced the board in CA for trying to provide non-affirming services, and one has already lost their job. My biggest issue is not so much fear of losing my license for not affirming, my fear is that I would be in danger of facing ramifications for not reporting parents for not-affirming. I am also not comfortable referring a child to another therapist for gender services if I am asked to do it, and as soon as I would refuse, I would be on blast as anti-trans. There is such a tumultuous relationship between schools, doctors and therapists that are not on the same page, it just feels like it is too much to navigate without more preparation.
Hi,
Would you mind contacting www.parentsofrogdkids.com and offering your help to California parents? That way they are at least vetted first.
Hi Elle Gray, thank you for your response. You wrote that "I would be required to affirm them or face losing my license." Can you please clarify what you mean by "required" since there is no legal requirement? There is also no legal requirement to report parents for not affirming. Like you, I do not refer to therapists who I don't know with certainty are not affirming, only to colleagues who take an exploratory approach. If someone asked me for a referral to a gender-affirming therapist (no one has ever done so), I would say I don't know anyone. Can you share more about the basis on which your friends had to face the Board, which also doesn't require affirmation? I have heard of a couple of therapists who were investigated by the Board due to complaints about "unprofessional conduct" due to posts on social media (neither were found to have violated any codes of conduct). On what basis did your friend lose their job? It is a tricky landscape to navigate, but we are also not required by any law or regulatory agency to practice the gender-affirmative approach.
good to know!
I am not comfortable providing any specific details regarding the individuals in California, but in all of the situations, they were mental health providers that were accused of conversion therapy and had to defend themselves from the accusation.
As I stated in my previous response you are absolutely correct, as of now there is no legal requirement to affirm. I should have been clearer in my words in my original essay and stated that, due to the fear of being accused of conversion therapy, I would feel like I am required to confirm to avoid it. It was a hyperbolic statement that admittedly needed clarification, and I appreciate you pointing it out. That said, I do feel that the lack of clear guidelines as to what actually determines conversion therapy puts all providers in danger. You indicated that in your practice you work specifically with families on gender related issues in a non-affirmative way, and I commend you for it. I do notice that on this platform you use a name that I assume is not the one on your license, so perhaps you also share concerns about the danger of being too public. Regardless, I am so grateful that there are clinicians like yourself that are providing these needed services, and I hope more will join.
Many therapists do either feel or believe that they are required to affirm. That is why it is so important for therapists and parents to know this is not true. I've seen this claim before and I'm afraid that it misguides therapists and parents and that it is in everyone's best interest to know that it is not true.
Regarding your friends, I understand not wanting to share details. The only way I understand how such a situation can occur is if a patient him- or herself, or a parent of a minor, files a complaint alleging conversion therapy. The parents of kids I treat contact me because they know where I stand (I'm against medicalization of youth, see social transition as starting on a path towards medicalization, know ROGD to be a valid phenomenon, etc.), and I know their positions. In my work with patients, I take as much of a neutral position as I can.
California bill SB 1172 on conversion therapy, i.e., sexual orientation change efforts, states: (b) (1) “Sexual orientation change efforts” means any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.
(2) “Sexual orientation change efforts” does not include psychotherapies that: (A) provide acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or the facilitation of clients’ coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices; and (B) do not seek to change sexual orientation."
Some professional organizations also include "gender identity" along with sexual orientation in their position statements condemning SOCE. This would require a therapist to actively and intentionally attempt to change someone's gender identity. If a therapist is in fact engaging in such an effort, that is indeed unethical and certainly not our task.
I am anonymous online (and have been even before getting into this particular niche) for a number of reasons, one of which is not wanting to be harassed by activists. I have been accused by individuals (other therapists) for statements I've made on listservs, in papers, or elsewhere about the state of the evidence regarding youth gender medicine as well as the various developmental pathways to gender dysphoria and trans identity. They could contact the Board if they wanted, but they have no basis upon which to file a complaint.
Thank you so much for the courage it has taken you to speak out and do what is right no matter what it may cost! We need MORE like you!!!!! God bless you!