Washington State halts enforcement of counseling ban against Christian therapist

Washington state officials have agreed to stop enforcing a counseling ban against Brian Tingley, a licensed marriage and family therapist, while his lawsuit against the state continues. The legal challenge targets a 2018 state law that prohibits licensed counselors from helping minors reject same-sex attraction or gender identity, while simultaneously permitting counseling that affirms a minor’s stated gender identity.

Tingley, who has practiced for over 20 years, argues the law violates the First Amendment by requiring counselors to promote specific state-approved ideologies. The decision to halt enforcement follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a similar case involving a Colorado counselor, where the court found that counseling conversations are protected speech and that the Colorado law discriminated based on viewpoint.

A preliminary order signed by U.S. District Judge Tiffany Cartwright protects Tingley from complaints regarding his faith-based talk therapy. While this order applies specifically to Tingley, the state’s law remains in effect for other counselors as the litigation proceeds.