Hawaii Health Department trains future therapists to conceal conversations with LGBT youth from parents

by Kyle Morris, FOX News, July 27, 2023 (excerpts)

…A presentation offered by employees of the Hawaii Department of Health encourages staff and graduate students at the University of Hawaii Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy not to document their conversations with LGBTQ+ youth in an effort to keep parents in the dark about their child's sexual identity.

The training, titled "Affirming practice with LGBTQ+ youth" and obtained by Fox News Digital through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, was delivered to staff and graduate students at the university on May 5 by two members of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division’s Safe Spaces Committee. The presenters were Kimberly Allen, chair of the Safe Spaces Committee, and Robin Lee, a member of the committee.

"Be careful about what you document – parents may be able to access the information," the presentation noted under a slide about confidentiality.

The same slide – which told viewers to "be aware of Hawaii’s age of consent for mental health services law for youth 14 and older" – also stated: "It should ALWAYS be the LGBTQ+ person’s decision to whom and when they disclose their orientation or identity. Being LGBTQ+ is not a safety risk, but being out could be."…

As outlined in Hawaii's minor consent law, the Hawaii Department of Health has noted previously regarding mental health services that "minors 14 years of age or older" can "consent to outpatient mental health services without the consent, knowledge or participation of their parents or legal guardians, upon consultation and agreement of their licensed therapist."…

The Safe Spaces Committee, according to its website, aims to "create and maintain an LGBTQ+ affirming system of mental health care for youth, that advances inclusive practice, urges accepting attitudes, operationalizes diversity, and provides education to the larger community."…

The presentation concludes with links to the department’s LGBTQ Safe Spaces website, which includes videos that advocate for biological males to play girls’ sports, a directory of so-called "gender-affirming" health care providers, and guides on gender transition through hormone therapy….

PDF: "Affirming practice with LGBTQ+ Youth" Slides

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UKDM: Hawaii health department trains therapists to keep parents in the dark about their child's sexual identity and to not document conversations  

DW: Hawaii Health Department Cautions Future Therapists About Documenting Conversations With LGBT Youth