Join Therapy First

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

• People who are experiencing distress regarding gender or biological sex should have access to ethical, developmentally appropriate psychotherapy.
• We reject treatments that set out to change sexual orientation or gender identity.Practices that use coercive techniques have no place in health care.
• We respect client autonomy and do not impose our own beliefs, values, opinions, ideology, religion, or goals on clients. Conflating exploration of gender identity with “conversion therapy” betrays a misunderstanding of the basic principles of psychotherapy.
• Psychological approaches should be the first-line treatment for gender dysphoria. Psychological interventions avoid the risks of social and medical transition, and support client autonomy by facilitating deeper self-understanding.
• Given the lack of long-term, peer-reviewed, longitudinal evidence and the risk of regret, medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children and teens are experimental and should be avoided if possible.
• We hold a developmental understanding of gender dysphoria and see it as arising in a context. The assumption that gender is an innate quality of the individual is unhelpful as it ignores the multiple factors that may be contributing to the individual’s distress. Overlooking these issues can deprive individuals of comprehensive psychological care.
• We recognize that behavior, feelings, and beliefs, including those related to gender identity, are influenced by factors of which we may not be fully conscious. The exploration of unconscious factors is not inherently pathologizing. Rather, its purpose is to expand and deepen self-understanding.
• Psychotherapy provides an individualized process to clients who wish to deepen their own self-understanding with therapists who apply established, evidence-based, ethical principles of therapy to individuals experiencing gender-related distress.
• Adult clients retain the right to bodily autonomy and the role of psychotherapy is to create a space where the client can deepen their understanding of gender dysphoria in the broader scope of their lives.
• Beginning medical interventions does not preclude an individual from the benefits of psychotherapy, which can offer meaningful support and exploration during the complex and dynamic process of transition.
• The “Affirmative” model of therapy for clients who are gender questioning or experiencing gender dysphoria is inadequate. Gender-affirmative therapies can fail to consider the following:
  • Gender and sexuality are complex, develop over time, and are influenced by many factors (biological, psychological, social, etc.)
  • The significant medical, psychological, and social risks and unknowns associated with transition (both social and medical/surgical) require honest examination.
  • Personal identity is not static. Identity exploration is a normal part of adolescent and young adult development.
  • It is extremely difficult to determine if a gender identity experienced during childhood and adolescence will remain fixed into adulthood. Because identity remains in flux during adolescence, clinicians should be very circumspect about recommending therapies that result in irreversible changes.
  • Young people may not have the capacity to fully comprehend the impact of gender transition and the treatments they desire.
  • Same-sex attracted youth are often gender nonconforming and may experience distress as they come to terms with their sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth may need help and support to accept themselves as they are.

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 thoughtful therapists.

We reserve the right to remove Therapy First membership from any professional who is not practicing according to these principles.

If you become a member, Therapy First will:

• Add you to its mailing list to keep you updated on Therapy First developments and alert you to any new posts.
• Provide opportunities for you to contribute to collaborative projects.
• Provide opportunities to connect and consult with other members locally and online.
• Allow you to choose whether to be included on a referral list for prospective clients seeking help with issues related to gender identity.

As a Therapy First member, you can appear in our searchable directory of therapists and professionals who have signed our membership statement, allowing parents and clients to approach you for services. If you would like to be listed in our directory, don’t forget to submit the listing form once you have purchased your membership.

Please note: You must use your real name when signing up for a membership. We do not allow pseudonyms because we need to know who you are in order to complete the approval process. Your real name will not be revealed to the public or to other members unless you choose to list yourself in the therapist directory. If you choose to join our community site, by default it will create a profile for you with your real name, but you may change your display name in the community to be a pseudonym if you wish.

Terms:

$50 / Year

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Please briefly explain why you would like to join Therapy First:* Please briefly explain why you would like to join Therapy First is Required

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Some people believe that exploratory therapy is equivalent to conversion therapy. What do you think about this?:* Some people believe that exploratory therapy is equivalent to conversion therapy. What do you think about this? is Required

I understand that my membership is pending administrative approval. Therapy First reserves the right to refuse membership to anyone if we determine that you are not a good fit for our organization. We cannot guarantee that your membership fee will be refunded. *

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