Dear ORCA members,

The Oregon Counseling Association stands in full solidarity with the American Counseling Association in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Chiles v. Salazar. This ruling is a serious setback for LGBTQ+ individuals, for the clients we serve, and for the integrity of our profession. The evidence is clear cut: conversion therapy causes harm. It is discredited, unsupported by science, and has no place in ethical counseling practice. Oregon counselors are bound by that truth regardless of what any court decides.

ORCA reaffirms our commitment to evidence-based and ethical care for all clients, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, who are most vulnerable to these harmful practices. We will continue to support state-level protections for clients and advocate alongside our national partners to ensure that the counseling profession remains grounded in its core values of client welfare, dignity, and protection of vulnerable populations. Conversion therapy has no safe place in ethical counseling, and it has no place in Oregon.

Below you can find the full ACA statement along with a link to sign up as an ACA Advocate to continue to oppose conversion therapy.

Thank you all for the work you do and for your continued support of ORCA

Full ACA Statement
ACA Advocate Link

Sincerely,

The Oregon Counseling Association