The Hawaii Department of Health is training therapists to conceal conversations with children who identify as LGBTQ+ from their parents, according to an exclusive report from Fox News.
A presentation recently given to students at the University of Hawaii Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy titled “Affirming practice with LGBTQ+ youth” included guidance for how therapists should document the conversations they have with children. The presentation shockingly advised, “Be careful about what you document – parents may be able to access the information.”
On the “confidentially” slide of the state’s presentation, students are reminded that Hawaii’s age of consent for mental health services is 14. The Hawaii Department of Health also stated that it should “always” be the client’s decision to share information about their identity.
“It should ALWAYS be the LGBTQ+ person’s decision to whom and when they disclose their orientation or identity,” the slide read. “Being LGBTQ+ is not a safety risk, but being out could be.“
According to Hawaiian law, youth 14 years of age and older can request and receive mental health services without parental consent. If the therapist agrees to not disclose treatment information with that child’s parents, the child can sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Hawaii’s Minor Consent Law reads: “The minor consent law, Act 37 SLH 2020, allows minors 14 years of age or older, to 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. Neither the minor nor their parents or legal guardian can be held liable for payment for these services.“
The presentation’s concluding slide contains a list of resources for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Among these resources is gaychurch.org, a directory that includes a list of “affirming Christian churches” for LGBTQ+ churchgoers.
This article originally appeared on TPUSA.
