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Statement of Values

Therapy First membership is open to professionals in the mental health field who are in agreement with the values of the organization as outlined below.

  • We believe people experiencing distress regarding gender should have access to mental health care that is developmentally appropriate and informed by the best available evidence, and that psychotherapy should be the first-line clinical response for those experiencing gender dysphoria. Given the lack of long-term, peer-reviewed, longitudinal evidence of the benefits of hormonal and surgical interventions and the risk of harm, and that the identities and decision making capacities of youth are still developing, we believe such medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children and teens should be avoided if possible.
  • We hold a developmental understanding of gender dysphoria and see it as arising in a context. We believe gender-related distress is complex and is shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors. We recognize that gay youth are often gender nonconforming and may experience gender dysphoria while coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Exploration of identity is a normal part of adolescent and young adult development.
  • We believe psychotherapy provides clients with an individualized process through which they can deepen their understanding of gender-related distress within the broader context of their lives. We recognize that behavior, feelings, and beliefs, including those related to identity, are influenced by multiple factors, conscious and unconscious, and that exploring these factors promotes resilience and supports thoughtful decision-making.
  • We believe clinicians must respect client autonomy and must not seek to impose their own beliefs, ideology, religion, or goals on clients. We believe that every mental health professional working with gender dysphoria should be sensitive and serious about respecting the rights and dignity of all patients, and especially those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. We reject practices that set out to change sexual orientation or gender identity. Practices that use coercive techniques have no place in health care.

The aim of Therapy First’s professional association is to create a supportive forum for members to network, learn, communicate, and collaborate on these issues. The network will also function as a resource for those who are gender questioning or experiencing gender dysphoria and their families to learn and to find support from developmentally-informed therapists.

We reserve the right to revoke Therapy First membership from any provider who is not practicing according to these values.

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