Chiles v. Salazar: Implications for Psychology and Licensing

Register Today

Presented by the Coalition of Psychology Practice Organizations'
Steve Smith, JD, with Nanci Klein, PhD, as Discussant

This Term, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Chiles v. Salazar, which involved a challenge to a Colorado statute prohibiting “conversion therapy.” A therapist challenged the law because she wished to offer “talk only” conversion therapy to help achieve the stated goals of clients. The therapy involved no procedures or medications. She therefore claimed that the Colorado law violated her 1st Amendment right to free speech. In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court agreed that the Colorado law violated the 1st Amendment. The decision calls into doubt the laws of about half the states that prohibit conversion therapy and raises questions about other licensing laws that apply to “talk only” therapy Please note, this presentation is not offered for continuing education.