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A quiet morning catch-up turns into a charged exploration of where therapy ends and state power begins. We dig into Colorado’s HB 19-1129 and the case of a licensed, faith-based counselor challenging the state’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors, asking whether the law polices harmful conduct—or polices words and beliefs in the treatment room. Along the way, we read the statutory definition, examine what it does and doesn’t allow, and test it against real scenarios where a teen asks for guidance aligned with their faith or seeks affirmation amid family conflict.

From there, we open the lens: How do clergy carve-outs square with tighter rules for licensed clinicians who operate under codes of ethics and disciplinary oversight? Could bans unintentionally push sensitive identity work into less regulated spaces? We trace the patchwork of state laws, the split in federal courts, and why the Supreme Court’s review could reset the boundaries of professional speech for therapists, physicians, and teachers. Grounding the legal questions are clinical fundamentals—do no harm, client autonomy, informed consent—and the crucial difference between exploration and direction. We also confront tough edge cases: What counts as harmful speech in therapy, and what’s just radical candor? Where is the line between respecting conscience and imposing values?

Finally, we tackle the age question and the “follow the science” refrain. If neurodevelopment justifies bright lines at 18, what about the prefrontal cortex maturing into the mid-20s? If minors lack capacity for certain decisions, how do policy carve-outs stay coherent? No easy answers here—only a reasoned, good-faith attempt to map the terrain so you can decide what’s consistent, ethical, and sustainable for kids, families, and clinicians. If thoughtful debate is your thing, you’ll feel at home.

If this conversation made you think, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your take. And tell us: should licensed therapists be free to counsel minors consistent with a minor’s faith and goals, or should the state draw the line?

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