Last fall, the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA), a professional organization of mental health professionals, joined several other Catholic organizations such as the Catholic Medical Association and Divine Mercy University in submitting an amicus curiae brief in the landmark Supreme Court case Chiles v. Salazar. The brief expressed support for petitioner Kaley Chiles who challenged a Colorado law that limited therapists’ freedom to talk about or engage in therapeutic dialogue on issues of sexual orientation or gender identity with minors from one direction, but not the other. Almost half of States in the U.S. had similar laws.
On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of Kaley Chiles’ petition. The CPA is deeply grateful for this ruling, which we see as important for preserving the therapeutic relationship in allowing clients to explore their intrapersonal experiences with their clinician in a collaborative fashion. We unequivocally oppose any coercive, shaming, or aversive practice carried out under the banner of therapy. At the same time, we affirm that ethical, client-directed exploration of identity and experience must remain protected. We are grateful to those who initiated and filed the brief and are thankful for the opportunity we had to participate.
As an organization, the CPA remains committed to both clinical excellence and acknowledging the God-given dignity of every person. In alignment with this mission, we renew our commitment to supporting and forming Catholic clinicians to practice in accordance with both sound clinical judgement and well-formed ethical convictions. We continue to affirm our ongoing dedication to serving individuals with competence, compassion, and respect. The CPA will continue to advocate for the vital role of psychotherapy and the constitutional limits on viewpoint-based restrictions in therapist-client speech all while upholding approaches that promote genuine freedom, healing, and integration.