Trainee therapist reveals disturbing truths about education

Naomi Epps Best’s Stance on Therapy Education

Naomi Epps Best is a married Christian mother and a graduate student at Santa Clara University focusing on marriage and family therapy. She’s passionate about helping individuals lead fulfilling lives, which is often the goal for those entering the counseling field.

However, today’s landscape can complicate that mission. On a recent episode of “Relationship” with Ally Beth Stucky, Naomi talked about the perspectives future therapists gain regarding gender identity, particularly concerning young clients.

“We’ve been instructed that if a child expresses severe gender-related anxiety, it is our ‘ethical obligation’ to affirm their beliefs without gatekeeping their treatment,” Naomi stated. “This is the standard we teach at Santa Clara University, coming directly from the psychological authority in our country.”

Ally noted that several therapists overlook a child’s other struggles—be it issues like anorexia, bipolar disorder, or autism—saying, “I just dismiss all of that. I say, ‘Sure, here’s a puberty blocker, hormones, or you can undergo surgery.’”

Naomi confirmed, “That approach is fundamentally how our profession operates. Sure, there are excellent therapists who dive deeper and support children grappling with gender discomfort.”

This month, Naomi wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, criticizing her program’s approach to human sexuality. In her article titled “Crazy ideas of human sexuality at Santa Clara University,” she detailed concerning practices she feels are forced upon students, such as inappropriate assignments paired with political bias and racial stereotyping. According to her, these issues overshadow a neutral approach to clinical training.

Shortly after the article was published, Naomi found herself dismissed from her therapy internship. Prior to that, she faced what she called a “Struggle Conference,” wherein a fellow trainee attacked her character.