Navigating the Impact of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Chiles v. Salazar: MFT Practice and Prof

On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its landmark 8–1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar, reclassifying "talk therapy" as protected speech under the First Amendment. This ruling fundamentally shifts the legal landscape, subjecting state-level regulations of clinical therapy to "strict scrutiny" and raising significant questions for the therapy profession. In this session, we will examine the critical distinction between protected speech and professional conduct, and discuss how this ruling impacts state-level oversight and the regulatory power of licensing boards. We will also explore how therapists can navigate this new legal development while remaining grounded in their obligations to maintain clinical competence, avoid injurious behavior, and adhere to established standards of care.