A message from CPA President Ian Masson:
The legal and ethical landscape is shifting for mental health clinicians and clients with gender dysphoria. As you may be aware, in November of last year the Department of Health and Human Services published “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices,” which is a peer reviewed study of the inherent dangers to children that come from attempts to change their biological sex. The HHS Report and supporting research challenges mental health professional organizations that promulgated ‘standards of care’ inconsistent with these findings.
In January, I wrote a letter to Dr. Wendi Williams, the current president of the American Psychological Association (APA) on behalf of CPA and our ongoing commitment to support mental health clinicians. I asked for clarification for our clinicians in resolving the discrepancy between APA and the current HHS Report and offered to collaborate with her in updating APA’s current guidance related to treatment for pediatric gender dysphoria to be in line with current research.
I did not receive a response from Dr. Williams. Subsequently, the CPA Board developed this open letter regarding this matter, obtained cosignatories from allied organizations, and sent it to the APA Council of Representatives. CPA leadership is committed to supporting our membership and working collaboratively within the mental health field for the best therapeutic practice possible and will continue to pursue clarification on this matter.
We welcome the addition of other allied organizations; please direct them to CPA Executive Director Nick Murray at nmurray@catholicpsychotherapy.org. This letter will be updated here weekly.