COMMITTMENT TO DECOLONIZING THERAPY
I, Cait Burns, commit to being intentional and mindful about engaging in decolonialized therapy practices and continuing the expand my humility, accountability and growth as a therapist raised and trained in this society.
Learn more at: https://www.decolonizingtherapy.com/
“Experience Life | From your perspective, what does it mean to decolonize therapy?
Jennifer Mullan | Decolonizing therapy is about uprooting and disconnecting from colonial harm. And identifying how we as healers, helpers, and space holders may engage in that kind of structural, emotional, political harm — even when we are “well-intentioned.” That goes for the practitioner as well as the client.
Decolonizing therapy looks at how colonization deeply impacts how we think, how we engage, and how we seek healing. As Angela Davis says, “‘radical’ means ‘grasping things at the root.’” That is what we are doing in decolonizing therapy — ensuring folks are helped and learn to heal from the root.
Whether we’re looking at the transatlantic slave trade, residential schools, or Japanese internment camps in what’s now known as the United States, these various forms of colonization have impacted how a people and a culture have learned to do relationships with our bodies, with each other, and with the land around us.
My invitation is for therapists to look at how the colonial wound leads to inflammation in the body. As we know, trauma, stress, and inflammation are besties. Decolonizing therapy focuses on political access — how our people responded to historical trauma and how that shows up in us today.”
QUOTE SHARED FROM - https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/decolonizing-therapy/
AAMFT’s Gender-Affirming Care Position Statement
Approved by the Board of Directors: October 2024
Gender-affirming care “seeks to minimize the distress transgender (trans) individuals experience by providing a supportive, nonjudgmental environment that acknowledges the individual’s identity or uncertainty about their gender identity. This type of care also offers interventions to reduce the incongruence between gender identity and the individual’s sex assigned at birth and gives patients who struggle with their gender identity the time and support they need to resolve that struggle.1” AAMFT, as the largest global association representing marriage and family therapists and systemic therapy providers, joins the other major mental health and medical associations in supporting gender-affirming care. The AAMFT Strategic Plan purpose states, “AAMFT stands as the organizational thought leader in and advocate of systemic and relational therapies. Endeavoring to meet the evolving needs of members and advance the practice and profession of marriage and family therapy, we are dedicated to expanding access and reducing barriers to the service delivery of relationally centered mental health care and to making the world a better place for the people and communities in which our members serve and work.” Systemic gender-affirming care expands the individual focus of the medical definition to include working with the systems these individuals are part of to create affirming contexts in which trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive individuals, their families and the systems in which they interface can thrive. Examples of these systems include families, intimate relationships, schools, work contexts, medical/healthcare settings, legal situations, and other similar contexts.
There is compelling scientific evidence demonstrating:
That gender diversity is natural and that being trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive is part of the range of human experiences and, therefore, not a mental illness.
That rigid, binary gender schemas have a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of people with any gender identity.
That transphobia and other forms of stigma have harmful effects on mental health and well-being.
That transphobia cannot be separated from other systems of oppression, such as racism, classism, and ableism, and this oppression negatively impacts the mental health and well-being of both cisgender and trans people.
That gender identity change efforts are harmful and have been shown to increase anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidality.
That gender-affirming care has a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals and families.
That a systemic, interdisciplinary approach to gender-affirming care is optimal for the well-being of individuals and families.
That family acceptance and support is a protective factor for depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality for trans, nonbinary, gender-expansive, and/or questioning children and young people.
It follows that bans on gender-affirming care are in direct conflict with current scientific knowledge and with the principles of ethical practice. Bans on gender-affirming care:
Contribute to stigma, social isolation, and underutilization of necessary health and mental health services for trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive individuals and their families. Individuals/families may experience discrimination in employment, housing, education, healthcare, and health insurance coverage. These individuals/families may ultimately choose to relocate to a state with gender-affirming laws, which can affect their economic viability. These negative outcomes potentially result in poor quality of life consequences that impact the economic viability of trans, nonbinary and/or gender-expansive individuals and their families.
Lead to misinformation that prevents individuals/families from accessing accurate, research-based information to make informed choices regarding care for themselves or their trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive family member. This misinformation can also impact the treatment choices of trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive family members, particularly children and young people, leading to potentially harmful outcomes. Access to accurate information and gender-affirming care greatly reduces the risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality.
Are in direct conflict with AAMFT’s Code of Ethics which prohibits discrimination “on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status.”
Therefore, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) takes the following positions:
AAMFT supports gender-affirming care for trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive people and their families, including children and young people.
AAMFT affirms that families with trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive members deserve affirming, culturally attuned care.
AAMFT deems the practice of gender identity change efforts, whether overt or covert, as harmful, unethical, and in direct violation of the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Gender identity change efforts include practices such as conversion therapy, reparative therapies, or other therapies that have the explicit goal of changing an individual's gender identity.
AAMFT opposes any laws or other policies by any government at any level that bans gender-affirming care since these create barriers that reduce access to the service delivery of relationally centered mental health care, access to medically necessary care, and impose restrictions on the practice of marriage and family therapists and systemic therapy providers.
AAMFT affirms that trans, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive systemic therapists are an integral part of our profession, and that transphobia will not be tolerated at any level in our organization. AAMFT’s core value, from AAMFT’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Statement, is to support, promote, and protect diversity, to value all individuals and groups as free from prejudice and oppression as possible, and to foster a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic.
AAMFT supports the education and competency development of systemic therapists to provide gender-affirming care to individuals and families across the lifespan and views such education and competency development as essential to providing ethical care to clients and families of all genders, and for the creation of gender-affirming systems to support trans, non-binary, and/or gender-expansive individuals and their families.
1Jack Resneck Jr., MD, Everyone deserves quality medical care delivered without bias, AMA, August 16, 2022, www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/everyone-deserves-quality-medical-care-delivered-without-bias
For more information on this statement, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.
For a downloadable PDF of the GAC Position Statement, please click here.
AAMFT Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation
As an association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s primary goal is to advocate for the profession of marriage and family therapy. We are also extremely sensitive to policies affecting individuals and families spanning a wide range of issues.
AAMFT is aware of recent passage of a bill in Arkansas related to banning access to gender-affirming care. On Tuesday, the Arkansas House overturned the governor’s veto to pass the bill, restricting access to treatment for transgender young people.
AAMFT has been clear and vocal in its position that as an association, discrimination will not be tolerated on any basis. We reiterate our global commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and a fundamental belief in the power of relationships upon which our profession is built. We recognize the adverse effects of this legislation on the livelihood of the transgender and gender diverse community, including depression, increased suicide and attempted suicide, and fewer safe, inclusive spaces in which to thrive.
There is also a large number of anti-transgender bills before other state legislatures. In 2020, there were a record-setting 79 anti-transgender bills introduced in state legislatures. This year, that record has been beaten again, with over 83 anti-transgender bills introduced at the state level. While Arkansas House Bill 1570 does not explicitly prohibit mental health providers from providing gender affirmative care, it could likely cause an increase in mental and emotional distress as transgender individuals are denied medical care to assist with gender transitions. Legislative proposals like HB 1570 may also leave mental health providers overwhelmed with clients experiencing gender dysphoria, without any medical providers to refer clients to for further treatment. AAMFT opposes legislation that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ population, such as HB 1570 and legislation that seeks to limit MFTs’ ability to provide gender affirmative care.
Many marriage and family therapists currently have an active and affirming role with transgender and gender diverse clients, supporting them throughout their journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and transition. Further, MFTs have occupied an integral role in supporting these individuals within their family systems, facilitating enriching, stable relationships that are fundamental to their well-being.
We also honor the contributions and influence on our field and within our own community by systemic therapists who identify as transgender or gender diverse. AAMFT is proud to support the Queer and Trans Advocacy Network (QTAN), a topical interest network that among its many goals is to increase professional competency to better serve all sexual and gender minority (SGM) clients and to advocate for SGM health and well-being. Alex Iantaffi, Chair of QTAN, urges family therapists to join community-based efforts to challenge discriminatory bills in their states to protect the emotional health of trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth beyond the therapy room. “We know, from the existing body of literature, that family support is a protective factor for trans, nonbinary and gender expansive youth. Family support leads to lower suicidality, and levels of depression and anxiety similar to the general youth population. As family therapists, our role in ensuring that families understand and support their children is essential.”
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The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Washington, D.C., is the largest national association for marriage and family therapists representing the professional interests of over 60,000 marriage and family therapists. Recognizing that relationships are fundamental to the health and well‐being of individuals, couples, families, and communities, AAMFT exists to advance the profession and the practice of marriage and family therapy. Relationships matter!
https://blog.aamft.org/2021/04/statement-on-anti-transgender-legislation.html
AAMFT’S Marriage and Family Therapy Position Statement
Approved by the Board of Directors: July 2005
Marriage and Family Therapy has long been defined as an intervention aimed at ameliorating not only relationship problems but also mental and emotional disorders within the context of family and larger social systems.
Today, as many in the United States are debating issues of marriage and family composition, it is of primary importance that the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and marriage and family therapists make clear what we mean and wish to imply in the use of the words “marriage” and “family” as we use them in our core values, teaching, treatment, research, and code of ethics.
We assert the value and positive impact of stable, long-term, emotionally enriching relationships. We believe that society is better off when social groupings are created that allow for and support these qualities. We recognize that all family forms have inherent strengths and challenges. As marriage and family therapists we focus our study and skills on how individuals in our society couple – choosing partners and establishing households – and form family groups.
We study and intervene to assist in these relationships whether that means a marriage has occurred in the legal sense, whether there is co-habitation, or other forms of family. We invite members of heterosexual, same-sex, culturally similar, intercultural/interracial and other forms of family composition to engage with marriage and family therapists for relational development and problem solving within their cultural contexts. We welcome all who would seek out our services in order to build strength and health in their lives, relationships, and in society. Our code of ethics states that “Marriage and family therapists provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.” We are an open and inclusive profession and organization.
AAMFT’S Non-pathologizing Sexual Orientation Position Statement
Approved by the Board of Directors: September 2004
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy takes the position that same sex orientation sexual or gender expression, and gender identity is not a mental disorder. Therefore, we do not believe that sexual orientation, sexual or gender expression, and gender identity in and of itself requires treatment or intervention.
Rationale: The development of the field of marriage and family therapy has included a tradition and perspective that eschewed the medical model. Historically, pathology or the diagnosis of an individual was not part of our field's heritage or practice. In light of this historical context, AAMFT never considered the possibility of making a statement that defined "pathology," or in the case of sexual orientation, sexual or gender expression, and gender identity "non-pathology." At the same time, we have had a history of stating that discrimination based on sexual orientation, sexual or gender expression, and gender identity, (and other personal characteristics such as gender, physical ability, religion, creed, ethnicity, for example) is unethical. At this time, in our society, the debate over the health or legitimacy of same sex orientation, sexual or gender expression, and gender identity is once again a topic of political debate. Therefore, it is time for us to clarify our own record and speak to the issue. We support that same sex orientation is a normal variant of human sexuality that takes a variety of forms and expression.
Future Considerations: We do recognize that treatment of those clients who present feeling confused about or wanting to change their sexual orientation should be undertaken with great care, knowledge, and openness. Therefore, it is our intent as an association to provide information to our members, through clinical care guidelines or other methods, regarding these issues.