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Who’s really behind Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy?

In this episode, licensed clinicians Juniper & Laurel discuss the key figures leading the charge against gender-affirming care, diving deep into their backgrounds, affiliations, and influence on trans healthcare policy.

From Stella O’Malley to Sasha Ayad, Lisa Marciano, and the Killarney Group, we investigate how these leaders shape the gender-critical therapy movement, their ties to anti-trans rhetoric, and their opposition to medical standards set by WPATH.

Gender Exploratory Therapy has been labeled a conversion therapy and we continue to share evidence of why in this part 2 companion piece to the organizations behind Therapy First.

🔎 In this episode, we break down:

✅ Who’s leading Therapy First, SEGM, and Gender Exploratory Therapy?

✅ The connections between key players and anti-LGBTQ organizations

✅ How their narratives fuel misinformation and policy changes

✅ The controversy over conversion therapy and gender care bans

✅ What you can do to support trans-affirming care & advocacy

🎧 We want to hear from you! Leave a rating & review, and support Advocates for Trans Equality through our merch store: https://24c56f-17.myshopify.com/

💬 What are your thoughts on these figures? Drop us a comment or DM!

Subscribe for more deep dives into misinformation, trans rights, and the fight for evidence-based care.

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In the second installment of our deep dive into Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy, hosts Juniper and Laurel, both licensed clinicians, expose the growing network of anti-trans organizations operating under the guise of “evidence-based” care.

We break down the interconnected web of groups like GenSpec, the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), and Our Duty, uncovering their ties to conversion therapy, pseudoscience, and policy-driven misinformation. From their influence on anti-LGBTQ legislation to their claims about gender dysphoria treatment, we separate fact from fearmongering.

🔎 In this episode, we discuss:

• The “web farm” strategy used to legitimize anti-trans narratives

• How SEGM is influencing legislation and medical distrust

• The real motivations behind gender-critical organizations like Sex Matters

• Conversion therapy rebranded? How “Therapy First” approaches harm trans individuals

• How you can support trans advocacy efforts and counteract misinformation

We encourage critical thinking, respectful discussion, and supporting pro-trans organizations through advocacy, donations, or purchasing our merch!

🔗 Support trans rights: https://24c56f-17.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, rate, and review to help spread awareness!

Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you!

Record a voice message here.
Send us a comment here.
Apply to be a guest on this podcast here.

Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.

Send us a text

Join hosts Laurel and Juniper as they share candid and semi-unhinged predictions about the mental health landscape (and beyond) in 2025.

From rejecting toxic wellness and healing narratives to embracing intersectional feminist rage, dIY Zine culture and public grieving, we share our what we say goodbye to our outs and welcome our ins.

Plus, we even get into some tips for reclaiming rest and identity in hustle culture, share childhood memories of being disagreeable, Juniper is introduced to ACOTAR and Laurel learns about Juniper's Debbie Downer alter ego.

You don't want to miss this hot and sour episode with a hint of salty goodness.

🎙️ Introduction and Meme of the Week (00:00 - 09:01)

📅 2025 Outs (09:02 - 19:17)

🔮 2025 Ins (19:17 - 27:26)

🧠 Mental Health Field Changes (27:26 - 36:16)

👥 Diversity in Mental Health (36:16 - 47:32)

🛌 Rest Revolution (47:32 - 58:14)

Please share your voice with us! We would love to hear from you!

Record a voice message here.
Send us a comment here.
Apply to be a guest on this podcast here.

Would you like to share your work with the Conscious Mental Health Community ? We offer both paid and free sponsorship opportunities. To apply click here.