Who’s Behind Therapy First? The Leaders Dismantling Gender-Affirming Care (part 2)
Send us a textWho’s really behind Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy?In this episode, licensed clinicians Juniper & Laurel discuss the key figures leading the charge against gender-affirming care, diving deep into their backgrounds, affiliations, and influence on trans healthcare policy.From Stella O’Malley to Sasha Ayad, Lisa Marciano, and the Killarney Group, we investigate how these leaders shape the gender-critical therapy movement, their ties to anti-trans rhetoric, and their opposition to medical standards set by WPATH. Gender Exploratory Therapy has been labeled a conversion therapy and we continue to share evidence of why in this part 2 companion piece to the organizations behind Therapy First. 🔎 In this episode, we break down:✅ Who’s leading Therapy First, SEGM, and Gender Exploratory Therapy?✅ The connections between key players and anti-LGBTQ organizations✅ How their narratives fuel misinformation and policy changes✅ The controversy over conversion therapy and gender care bans✅ What you can do to support trans-affirming care & advocacy🎧 We want to hear from you! Leave a rating & review, and support Advocates for Trans Equality through our merch store: https://24c56f-17.myshopify.com/💬 What are your thoughts on these figures? Drop us a comment or DM! Subscribe for more deep dives into misinformation, trans rights, and the fight for evidence-based care.Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here. Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.
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1:15:12
The Truth About Gender Exploratory Therapy: Exposing the Anti-Trans Web (part 2 deep dive)
Send us a textIn the second installment of our deep dive into Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy, hosts Juniper and Laurel, both licensed clinicians, expose the growing network of anti-trans organizations operating under the guise of “evidence-based” care.We break down the interconnected web of groups like GenSpec, the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), and Our Duty, uncovering their ties to conversion therapy, pseudoscience, and policy-driven misinformation. From their influence on anti-LGBTQ legislation to their claims about gender dysphoria treatment, we separate fact from fearmongering.🔎 In this episode, we discuss:• The “web farm” strategy used to legitimize anti-trans narratives• How SEGM is influencing legislation and medical distrust• The real motivations behind gender-critical organizations like Sex Matters• Conversion therapy rebranded? How “Therapy First” approaches harm trans individuals• How you can support trans advocacy efforts and counteract misinformationWe encourage critical thinking, respectful discussion, and supporting pro-trans organizations through advocacy, donations, or purchasing our merch!🔗 Support trans rights: https://24c56f-17.myshopify.com/Subscribe, rate, and review to help spread awareness!Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here. Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.
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1:07:46
After Billable Hours: 2025 Mental Health Trends: Ins, Outs, and Everything in Between
Send us a textJoin hosts Laurel and Juniper as they share candid and semi-unhinged predictions about the mental health landscape (and beyond) in 2025. From rejecting toxic wellness and healing narratives to embracing intersectional feminist rage, dIY Zine culture and public grieving, we share our what we say goodbye to our outs and welcome our ins. Plus, we even get into some tips for reclaiming rest and identity in hustle culture, share childhood memories of being disagreeable, Juniper is introduced to ACOTAR and Laurel learns about Juniper's Debbie Downer alter ego. You don't want to miss this hot and sour episode with a hint of salty goodness. 🎙️ Introduction and Meme of the Week (00:00 - 09:01)📅 2025 Outs (09:02 - 19:17)🔮 2025 Ins (19:17 - 27:26)🧠 Mental Health Field Changes (27:26 - 36:16)👥 Diversity in Mental Health (36:16 - 47:32)🛌 Rest Revolution (47:32 - 58:14)Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here. Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.
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Updates on Unpacking Gender Exploratory Therapy series, and CMH is going on Winter Break! ❄️
Send us a textSend us a textHey friends! In this quick update episode, Laurel drops in to share where she and Juniper are in the process of producing the gender exploratory therapy series (spoiler alert…it’s a lot more of an in-depth and lengthy process than we anticipated!), and lets everyone know about CMH’s winter break.Don’t forget that our fundraiser for Advocates for Trans Equality is ongoing! See the links below to direct you straight to where you can purchase these merch items.We hope you have the end to 2024 that you most need, and we will see you in the new year! ✨🪩🧠 Share your thoughts (and please be civil, hate speech will be deleted)!All profits from our "Protect Trans Kids" Merch will go directly to Advocates for Trans EquailtyPlease share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here.Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here. Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.
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Unmasking Therapy First: The Myths and Realities of Gender Exploratory Therapy (PART 1)
Send us a text‼️Content warning for sensitive discussions regarding the LGBTQ community. ⚠️What is Gender Exploratory Therapy, and why is it raising concern amongst therapists and LGBTQ+ advocates? In part 1 of our series, Juniper and Laurel, delve into Therapy First, the organization behind this controversial model. We examine its claims about "exploratory care", and gender-critical approaches, and discuss its implications for trans and gender-diverse communities. 🎙️ Introduction to Gender Exploratory Therapy (00:58 - 02:11)📚 Interviews and Perspectives (04:12 - 05:12)🧐 Exploration of Therapy First (05:12 - 09:23) (05:12 - 09:23)⚖️ Understanding Gender Affirmative vs. Exploratory Therapy (09:23 - 18:38) (09:23 - 18:38)🔄 The False Binary in Therapy Approaches (18:38 - 27:36) (18:38 - 27:36)🚫 Discouragement of Transitioning (27:36 - 37:51) (27:36 - 37:51)🛑 Conversion Therapy Discussion (37:51 - 47:57) (37:51 - 47:57)📊 Research and Evidence (or lack thereof) in GET (47:57 - 56:06) 🌐 Conclusion (56:06 - 01:07:12)Share your thoughts (and please be civil, hate speech will be deleted)!All profits from our "Protect Trans Kids" Merch will go directly to Advocates for Trans EquailtyPlease share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you! Record a voice message here. Send us a comment here.Apply to be a guest on this podcast here. Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.
For Curious Clients and Conscious Clinicians: We’re shaking things up for season 3! Join co-hosts Laurel and Juniper as they step away from the therapy room and dive into candid conversations about the world around us. From weekly roundups to deep dives and everything in between, we’ll explore current topics, share our personal experiences, and offer insights through the lens of clinicians who aren’t afraid to get real. Whether you’re here for education, connection, or just some good old-fashioned therapist banter, we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget to visit our website, leave us a message, and be sure to review, comment, follow, and subscribe to stay connected—both here and on YouTube
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