136. The Future of Free Speech in the Counseling Profession with James Esses

You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

In this episode, I welcome back James Esses, a writer and advocate who has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding gender ideology and its impact on the therapeutic profession. We dive into James's journey, which began during his training as a therapist in the UK, where he raised concerns about the medicalization of children experiencing gender dysphoria. His advocacy led to a significant legal battle after he was expelled from his graduate program, a case that has since resulted in important settlements affirming the validity of gender-critical beliefs among therapists.

We explore the implications of James's case for therapists in the UK and beyond, particularly regarding freedom of speech and the ethical responsibilities of mental health professionals. We discuss the troubling trend of therapists prioritizing identity politics over individual client needs, and how this shift has affected the quality of care. Additionally, we examine the concept of "lived experience" and its potential dangers when it comes to guiding treatment decisions, especially for vulnerable populations like adolescents.

Throughout our conversation, we aim to uncover the challenges faced by therapists today, the impact of social media on mental health, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in therapy. Join us as we navigate these complex issues and consider what the future holds for the counseling profession.

James Esses is a writer, commentator and advocate, specializing in the impact of ideology on society. He has a particular interest in the topic of gender ideology from the perspective of safeguarding children from irreversible medicalisation. He founded the Declaration for Biological Reality, calling for significant change to public policy in this space. James brought high-profile legal action against the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), and his case resulted in a significant statement expressly protecting therapists with gender critical beliefs. He frequently appears on television, including on GB News and TalkTV, and writes for a number of publications, including the Mail, Telegraph, Spectator, Spiked and Critic. He also writes a Substack alongside Matt Goodwin. James was previously a Criminal Barrister and spent many years specializing in crime and criminal justice in the public sector, including tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation.

James will soon be launching Just Therapy. Make sure to follow or subscribe to him on your platforms of choice in order to stay informed.

• Substack
• X @JamesEsses
• James' previous episode on my podcast

Books mentioned in this episode are listed below.

• Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up, by Abigail Shrier

View my complete list of book recommendations, including those written by authors who have been guests on this show, at https://sometherapist.com/bookshop.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links from my show notes or website. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

00:00 Start

[00:02:36] Ethical concerns in therapy training.

[00:07:04] Therapist freedom of belief.

[00:10:06] Trainee therapists facing pressure.

[00:15:37] Purpose of therapy and risks.

[00:18:47] Therapy and societal relationship norms.

[00:20:27] Loneliness in modern society.

[00:24:15] Sanity versus Insanity in Therapy.

[00:29:23] Privilege versus oppression beliefs.

[00:32:10] Wokeness and therapy dynamics.

[00:36:32] Lived experience in therapy.

[00:41:11] Teenage advice and mental health.

[00:45:45] Power dynamics in gender identity.

[00:49:51] Just therapy and advocacy.

[00:52:17] Accreditation in therapy practice.

[00:56:05] Ethical concerns in therapy accreditation.

[01:00:03] Gender critical beliefs in therapy.

[01:04:36] Online shaming and social justice.

[01:09:59] Biological factors in gender dysphoria.

[01:11:45] Gender dynamics in modern society.

[01:16:12] Healing through daily renewal.

[01:20:07] Gender crisis and its realities.

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community for Parents is available now! Are you concerned about an adolescent or young adult with Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria? Join at ROGDrepair.com and get instant access to over 100 lessons designed to equip you with the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Use code SOMETHERAPIST2024 to take 50% off your first month.

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SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

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