The AMHP Blog Post Archive
This is your call to action. Did you know that the American Revolution was fought and won with only less than 3% of the American population participating in a role other than grousing about things in a public tavern? Less than 3%. The remainder were content to let someone else do the heavy lifting and hope things worked out. It only takes a determined, vocal minority to affect national change. The change that is happening right now will go a whole lot faster, and result in less pain for all, if more than 3% will get involved. One War-A Thousand Battles We all know things are not good; they’re not “normal” as most of us have known normal for the…
Can therapists still legally use facilitation tactics like a minor patient’s preferred pronouns, cross-gender new name, promote cross-dressing and the use of chest binders now that physical transitioning of minors is illegal in TX? Looking for Loopholes for Facilitation Tactics I’ve seen that question posed in online groups by counselors looking for loopholes to continue their “affirming care” work with kids. The better question is, why would a counselor want to continue to do that? What’s the Real Motive? If the specific usage intent, by a licensed MHC, of an array of social transitioning tactics and behaviors with a minor was to place them on a path to physical transitioning, and both the chemical and surgical procedures and the facilitation…
Just finished studying the Paxton Opinion KP-0401 from 2022 (again) which clarified the relationship of GAC to child abuse in TX. Here’s a summary of the key takeaway points for mental health counselors. Two Primary Questions Matt Krause, Chair of the House Committee on General Investigating posed two key questions of Paxton’s office: 1. Does the provision of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to a minor constitute child abuse? 2. Does the performance of specific list of surgical procedures on a minor constitute child abuse? Paxton Opinion KP-0401: The Cliff’s Notes Version Here’s the final summary given on pg 13 of the Opinion: “Each of the “sex-change” procedures and treatments enumerated above (in original Requestor’s letter), when performed on children,…
In a separate post we cleared up the misinformation about the licensing boards having anything to do with the genesis of SB14, but that brings up two questions we need to address. Where do the loyalties of each professional board member live, and what is their duty towards encouraging TX licensees when it comes to upholding TX law? Here’s the Backdrop The world is waking up to the atrocity that GAC and its transition process is. Parents are fighting back. The online delusion is waning and counselors and surgeons are rightfully under attack for past atrocities. Our state legislatures are finally recognizing and addressing it with new law. Then there are the diehards. The “way past salvation” licensed therapists who…
If the letter writing, blockers, hormones and surgeries are outlawed by TX SB14 then the question becomes, “are the GAC tactics utilized prior to the letter-writing, the social transitioning phase, still allowed since not specifically enumerated in the bill, or are they also illegal? Do they qualify as facilitation?” Are MHCP Licensees Covered? TX AG Ken Paxton’s Opinion (KP-0518) says, yes, we are. See deeper dive on the logic, here. Always Begin With Definitions The two terms, “facilitation” and “intent” are key. “Facilitation” is defined by the dictionary and the AG’s office as the “intent” to move a process forward; the entire process. So when does the facilitation of the physical transitioning segment begin? And how do we determine intent?…
The TX AG’s recent Opinion (KP-0518) and BHEC’s recent “Guidance on the Treatment of Gender Identity-Related Concerns” position clarification document have really stirred up a stink in the online groups of GAC therapists (The Toddlersphere) regarding their dangerous beliefs. Addressing Dangerous Beliefs Aside from illuminating their belief that they’re all somehow legal experts, their out-of-control rage has exposed a number of group-think beliefs that are simply false. These beliefs and the sources they’re listening to are going to cost them their licenses if not corrected so let’s look at each of these fallacies in turn. 1. “Paxton’s Opinions Can’t Create New Law or Penalties!!” Yeah, that’s correct and that was never the issue here. He wasn’t attempting to create anything…
Today we’ll be addressing the coalition letter. Let’s look at the claims made in the letter issued March 3rd, 2026 by the “coalition” of professional organizations who disagree with the TX AG Office’s Opinion (KP-0518). Addressing The Coalition Letter They claim the following: 1. “The services in SB14 (88R) that are expressly prohibited to be performed by the health care provider are explicitly associated with the treatment of physical health that are outside the scope of practice for any mental health care professional.” That’s actually a true statement. No one is expecting or requiring a mental health counselor to do any surgical procedure. But simply stating that counselors aren’t surgeons doesn’t mean that licensed mental health counselors aren’t “health care…
Was going to do an overview on TX AG Ken Paxtons Opinion KP-0518, what it says and how it ties previous Opinions and Bills together. A poster in one of the Facebook groups made it easy for me! I realized after I finished responding that I had just penned my overview so here it is, and I’ll begin with a quick review of the opinions and bills I’m referring to. The Pieces on the Board Ken Paxton’s Opinion from 2022 (KP-0401) equated GAC with child abuse under Texas Family Code § 261.001. SB12 (2025) prohibits that initial segment of the transitioning, the “social transitioning” that sets a kid up for the “physical transitioning” portion of the gruesome process. SB14 (2023)…
Prior Blog Posts
Our previous blog posts will remain on PracticeMentors.us for now. Find them here.