Pia Smal

03/31/2026

As a mental health professional and educator, I object to “therapy” as equivalent to speech and not a medical intervention. There’s a reason you need an advanced degree, additional supervision, and a license to practice. When framed as “free speech” it ignores that. I see it as equivalent to someone going to a medical Dr and requesting trephination to treat a headache. A Dr would decline because it’s not an evidence based treatment. So why are we de-professionalizing mental health practitioners? Conversion therapy also violates the ethical codes of the ACA, APAs, NASW and others professional organizations. It’s also been declared torture by the UN 🇺🇳. But… free speech… Nope. Make no mistake - this practice IS torture and it DOES cause lasting harm. Being LGBTQ+ is not something to be “fixed.”

The Supreme Court has ruled against a law banning “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of about two dozen states that banned the discredited practice.

03/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18B9t7CWYM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/10/2026

Want to know why I support a faculty union?

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11/08/2025

Penn State is providing Pennsylvania prisoners the opportunity to earn a college degree. With a Bachelor's degree, formerly incarcerated people are much less...

10/12/2025

Stay informed. Pay attention. This impacts us all

The nation's special education services have been significantly impacted after Friday's mass layoffs within the Department of Education, and it could have an immediate impact on children with disabilities, sources told ABC News.

"Do people realize that this is happening to this population of vulnerable students?" one department leader told ABC News.

Read more: https://abcnews.visitlink.me/K6gdxU

10/09/2025

This is an important read. Please please pay attention to this case. Therapy is an intervention that, ethically, should be backed by empirically supported research and provided by a TRAINED professional. It’s designed for self exploration, yes, and to treat medical illnesses. This would be akin to someone going to a dr and asking for a lobotomy, blood letting, or trephination. A dr would not ethically perform them, and especially if the patient had nothing wrong with them. While people are free to think being gay or trans is wrong, there’s ZERO medically or scientific basis for that “belief.” You know what does have medically and scientifically basis? That conversion therapy is unethical, doesn’t work and, the UN condemned it as a harmful, scientifically discredited practice that can amount to torture. You know what else is medically and scientifically supported? That LGBTQ+ people are not an anomaly to be changed - just like straight or cisgender people.

At oral arguments, the high court’s conservatives seemed inclined to back gay conversion therapy. But they ultimately may not stop there.

10/09/2025

At oral arguments, the high court’s conservatives seemed inclined to back gay conversion therapy. But they ultimately may not stop there.

10/09/2025

APA Position Statement on Conversion Therapy and LGBTQ+ Patients https://ow.ly/xv2U50X7LqS

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

In light of recent oral arguments at the Supreme Court in the Chiles v. Salazar case, ACA reaffirms that conversion therapy is a harmful practice. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting policies that protect clients, uphold professional standards and advance the integrity of the counseling profession. As part of a coalition of mental health organizations, we have signed on to a friend of the court brief reiterating:

• Conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice
• Psychotherapy is more than simply ‘talking’ — it is a medical treatment and therefore can be regulated by states
• Conversion therapy can fuel stigma and discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community

Learn more about our efforts: https://bit.ly/3JYgo3G