ABCT Statement on Recent Supreme Court Decision

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) expresses its deep concern about the recent Supreme Court decision in which a Colorado law banning so-called “conversion therapy” (often known as sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts – SOGIECEs) may infringe upon a therapist’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

Psychotherapy is evidence-based healthcare and not merely a conversation, even though talking is a critical medium through which that healthcare is delivered. Moreover, SOGIECES are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Rather, published scientific research suggests that SOGIECES are associated with long-lasting psychological damage and increased risk of suicidality.

ABCT reaffirms its longstanding position that having an LGBTQ+ identity is not a form of mental illness or disorder and, therefore, does not require treatment. Correspondingly, SOGIECES are not a legitimate form of therapeutic treatment and risk significant harm to individuals, with particular risk faced by minors.

ABCT reaffirms its commitment to scientifically sound practices, the ethical imperative to do no harm, and accordingly disagrees with the conclusion reached in the Supreme Court decision. ABCT continues to strongly encourage discontinuation of these harmful practices. For more about ABCT’s work in this area, see Here and Here. If any questions, email [email protected].

– ABCT Board of Directors

Statements from ABCT’s Board of Directors

Suggested Resources

What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of treatment that is based firmly on research findings. It places emphasis on changing your cognitions (thoughts) or behaviors (actions) in order to effect change in how you feel. These approaches help people in achieving specific changes or goals.

Changes or goals might involve:

A way of acting: like smoking less or being more outgoing;
A way of feeling: like helping a person to be less scared, less depressed, or less anxious;
A way of thinking: like learning to problem-solve or get rid of self-defeating thoughts;
A way of dealing with physical or medical problems: like reducing back pain or helping a person stick to a doctor’s suggestions.

Cognitive behavioral therapists usually focus more on the current situation and its solution, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person’s views and beliefs about their life. CBT is an effective treatment for individuals, parents, children, couples, and families. The goal of CBT is to help people improve and gain more control over their lives by changing behaviors that don’t work well to ones that do.

How to Get Help

If you are looking for help, either for yourself or someone else, you may be tempted to call someone who advertises in a local publication or who comes up from a search of the Internet. You may, or may not, find a competent therapist in this manner. It is wise to check on the credentials of a psychotherapist. It is expected that competent therapists hold advanced academic degrees. They should be listed as members of professional organizations, such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the American Psychological Association. Of course, they should be licensed to practice in your state. You can find competent specialists who are affiliated with local universities or mental health facilities or who are listed on the websites of professional organizations. You may, of course, visit our website (www.abct.org) and click on “Find a CBT Therapist”

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of a scientific approach to the understanding and amelioration of problems of the human condition. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive, and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, and treatment.