In our view, clinicians, both child and adolescent psychiatrists, paediatricians, general practitioners and psychologists have been intimidated by this legislation. These clinicians would like to provide care to young people with gender questioning, gender dysphoria and gender incongruence issues but because of the legislation they are fearful of being called ‘conversion therapists’. The therapy that they would be offering would not be trying to force a young person to adopt a gender consistent with their sex but rather to explore the individual’s feelings and the reasons they come to expressing the gender that they wish. This exploration would include identifying underlying and co-morbid mental health and family/social conditions that would be influencing the individual’s view. This exploration would allow the individual to come to a thoughtful and rational and settled position about their gender identity while dealing with associated distress. The loss of these clinicians from practising in this field is a major detrimental consequence of the legislation. The legislation should be amended to remove any impediments to all doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists treating individuals with gender identity issues treating these individuals on their merits. The legislation should be amended so that it does not threaten any clinician who provides treatment that does not involve medical (hormonal) or social transition of young persons with gender identity concerns and distress being labelled a ‘conversion therapist’.
National Association of Practising Psychiatrists (NAPP)
