While there is less explicit content regarding the mental health treatment of TGE folks in most ethical guidelines, almost every major professional medical organization has released statement papers meant to inform standards of care. They are often congruent and emphasize that gender-affirming care (social and medical) is suicide prevention. In states that passed anti-trans laws, suicide attempt rates rose up to 72% among trans and enby youth ages 13-17. 

The World Professional Association for Trangender Health sets standards of care and their core philosophy centers around depathologization. They emphasize that gender diversity is a natural variation of the human experience and not a mental disorder. The higher rates of mental health challenges in this population are largely attributed to minority stress rather than the gender identity itself. 

They express that psychotherapy should not be a mandatory requirement for starting gender-affirming medical treatments as it should not be used as a barrier to care. MHPs are encouraged to help individuals explore their identity without imposing the provider’s own narratives or preconceptions. The focus of treatment should be on reducing the distress associated with gender dysphoria and minority stress with affirming, person-centered interventions. 

The American Psychological Association adopted a policy affirming evidence-based care for TGE children, adolescents, and adults. Key goals of the policy are to combat misinformation, reduce stigma and marginalization, and to integrate scientific research. The ACA practice brief further emphasizes the need for intersex awareness and the use of affirming language. They also highlight the levislative inequity including housing and employment discrimination for TGE folks and note that for youth, bullying is linked to higher rates of depression and attempted suicide. 

MHPs are encouraged to use affirming paperwork that uses inclusive language, gender options, and domestic partnership statuses. MHPs should pair intersectional frameworks that include how TGE identities intersect with race, class, and disability with trauma informed care models. They also encourage an emphasis on empowerment, encouraging MHPs to help clients build social support networks to counter the isolation caused by societal oppression. 

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) views gender-affirming care as a fundamental human right and health imperative. Human Rights factors include: 

• Freedom from violence and discrimination (safety)
• Access to agency and bodily autonomy (self-determination, consent, privacy)
• Access to information and education, access to affirming mental/medical healthcare
• Freedom to engage in partnerships and family life
• Absence of disease/dysfunction and access to sexual pleasure 

All of which are being challenged across the country at this time. 

AASECT explicitly labels conversion/reparative therapy as unethical. They encourage the importance of “gender euphoria” which is the joy and authenticity TGE folks feel when their identity is affirmed. Their statement cites extensive research showing that affirming environments lead to optimal health outcomes, whereas disaffirming policies are documented to cause significant harm, including increased rates of depression and suicide.