Good afternoon, 

I do not believe the State should decide what mental health issues counselors can and cannot discuss when helping or working with clients seeking mental health counseling for issues that clients want to gain insight, resolution, and peace regarding their gender or sex.  

Let me start by explaining an incident in my life that supports allowing the individual to determine what counseling or treatment he or she wants and how the stressed or broken family unit impacts raising children. 

When I was in college in Ogden, Utah, in 1989 or 1990, I worked in the afternoons in a daycare facility as teacher for a toddler classroom for three year olds.  There was a boy in my group who thought he was a girl.  When I asked the girls to line up to go outside or go to the restroom, he got in line. I did not understand why the boy thought he was a girl, so I asked the morning teacher, and I was told that the boy's Mom did not want a boy and decided to raise him as a girl.  She was a single mom.  The Director and the staff knew the circumstances.  This boy did not know he was a boy. He was quiet, regularly played alone, and lacked expression.  He was sweet child.  I ask, why was or is this okay and acceptable for the parent(s) to decide which sex or gender the child will be by ignoring physical biology of the child from an early age as in this case?  

So, with the proposed State regulations on what mental health professionals can and cannot provide during mental health counseling would restrict what the client wishes to discuss.  Suppose that boy sought mental health counseling today for understanding, resolution, or peace why he feels he is a girl and not a boy, and this regulation were law, a counselor could not provide counseling to that boy, who is now adult, for issues regarding sex or gender.  The boy is a victim twice to abuse and neglect: once by the Mom and now by the State as an adult, because both parties have determined what is "appropriate" and "legal." 

Thank you for taking the time to read my statement.  I wish to say to all those who read this that this issue at its core is not about sex or gender and more State or Federal governmental regulations will not solve this issue.  We need to change our focus with this issue by passing laws to protect families, educating our children, protecting religious freedom, and loving our children.  This is a heart issue. 

Sincerely,

GC