Standing for Ethical, Affirming Care: A Message to WAMFT Members

As members of the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT), we are part of a broader professional community committed to ethical, evidence-based, and relationally attuned care. In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding state restrictions on conversion therapy for minors, we join our parent organization, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), in expressing deep concern and unwavering clarity in our professional stance.

The scientific and clinical consensus across the medical and mental health fields is both clear and longstanding: efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are not supported by evidence and carry a significant risk of harm—particularly for children and adolescents.

What This Means in Washington State

Washington has been a national leader in protecting LGBTQIA+ youth. In 2018, the state enacted a law prohibiting licensed health care providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors, classifying it as unprofessional conduct and subject to disciplinary action (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 18.130.180; Washington State Legislature, 2018).

This law has been upheld through legal challenges, with courts affirming the state’s authority to regulate harmful clinical practices and protect young people (Tingley v. Ferguson, 2022).

However, the recent Supreme Court decision—focused on a similar law in Colorado—raises significant questions about the future enforceability of Washington’s protections. Legal scholars and policymakers anticipate that this ruling could influence how state-level bans are interpreted and challenged moving forward (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy [AAMFT], 2024).

For clinicians in Washington, this creates a complex and evolving landscape: while state law may still be in place, its future—and how it is interpreted—may shift.

Our Ethical Commitments Remain Clear

As systemic therapists, we understand that identity develops within relational, cultural, and contextual systems. Practices that attempt to invalidate or alter core aspects of identity not only disregard this complexity but can profoundly disrupt well-being.

While laws may evolve, our ethical commitments remain grounded in enduring principles:

• Do no harm

• Practice within the bounds of evidence-based care

• Honor the dignity and lived experiences of all clients

• Attend to power, context, and systemic inequities

The Supreme Court decision raises important questions about the intersection of clinical practice and free speech. Yet, as a profession, we are not guided solely by what is legally permissible—we are guided by what is clinically sound, ethically responsible, and relationally just.

Standing with Our Clients and Communities

AAMFT has taken a strong stance in opposing this decision and affirming the dignity, worth, and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. At WAMFT, we stand in alignment with this advocacy.

We want to be clear:

We stand firmly with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and communities.

We affirm your dignity, your worth, and your right to care that is safe, respectful, and affirming.

A Call to Our Members

This moment calls us not only to awareness, but to reflection and action:

• How are we embodying affirming, evidence-based care in our daily practice?

• How are we supporting one another as colleagues navigating ethical and legal complexity?

• How can we continue to advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations in Washington and beyond?

WAMFT remains committed to supporting our members through education, dialogue, and community. We will continue to monitor policy developments in Washington State and provide guidance as needed.

In moments like these, our professional identity matters. Our values matter. And together, we will continue to lead with integrity, compassion, and courage.

References

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2024). AAMFT statement on conversion therapy and Supreme Court decision. https://www.aamft.org

Tingley v. Ferguson, 47 F.4th 1055 (9th Cir. 2022). https://casetext.com/case/tingley-v-ferguson

Washington State Legislature. (2018). Conversion therapy—Minors—Unprofessional conduct (RCW 18.130.180). https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.130.180