The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and ACES Regional Division leadership teams are deeply concerned about the implications of the US Supreme Court ruling in Colorado this week with regard to client welfare and professional counseling practice.
Counselor educators and supervisors have long recognized that Professional Counseling is grounded in research, training, and evidence-based interventions to provide effective treatment. Research by both medical and mental health professionals has indicated that Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE), including conversion therapy practices, present significant risk of harm to clients. This is particularly harmful and damaging for youth. This research has further informed the stance of unified position of medical and mental health organizations standing united in opposing these practices.
Though the US Supreme Court decision in Chiles v. Salazar held that Colorado’s law suppressed speech based on viewpoint, the ruling was narrow. The Court did not speak to the safety or efficacy of conversion therapy. Our ethical code and values as Counselors recognize that we must strive to do no harm and to protect clients using safe, ethical, and evidence-based interventions.
If you would like to review the Supreme Court’s decision, it can be found at this link.
ACES is working with our mental health coalition partners to draft a joint statement in reaction to the decision. We also hope to offer resources for use by members.