My Duty to Do No Harm as a Psychologist, Sex Therapist, and Yoga Therapist
By: Dr. Denise Renye
Ahimsa, the principle of non-harming, is a foundational value in my work as a psychologist, sex therapist, and yoga therapist. Rooted in Eastern spiritual traditions, ahimsa calls us to act with compassion, create spaces of safety, and ensure that our actions do not contribute to harm or suffering.
In today’s political climate, where trans communities are being actively targeted and erased, practicing ahimsa means more than just avoiding harm—it requires actively opposing injustice, advocating for those whose rights are under attack, and fostering joy and resilience. True healing cannot happen in an environment of fear and oppression, which is why upholding ahimsa demands that we stand in solidarity with trans individuals and work toward a world where they can live freely, safely, and with dignity.
A quick recap, although you likely don’t need it:
· Multiple reports claim that the CDC has instructed its researchers to pause or retract journal articles referencing specific LGBT topics. Allegedly, agency staff received a list of banned words that must be removed from all publications. According to the Washington Post and the Substack Inside Medicine, these terms include “gender,” “transgender,” “non-binary,” “assigned male at birth,” “assigned female at birth,” “biologically male,” and “biologically female.”
· The president issued an executive order banning federal funding or support for youth gender-affirming care for those under 19. The order also called for removing federal funding from medical schools and hospitals that research gender-affirming care.
· He also targeted the military and said “expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.” In other words, if you’re trans, you can’t serve in the military.
The grief and pain caused by these policies and rhetoric cannot be ignored—it is real, pervasive, and deeply harmful. At the same time, it’s important to remember people are fighting back – 15 attorneys general issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to gender-affirming care, including in my state of California.
Nonetheless, what the Trump administration is doing is deeply troubling and goes against my values. As a psychologist, sex therapist, and yoga therapist, I hold the principle of ahimsa—non-harming—as central to my work. Ahimsa calls us to create spaces of safety, compassion, and respect, ensuring that healing does not perpetuate further harm. At this moment, practicing ahimsa means actively resisting oppression, honoring the lived experiences of trans folx, and advocating for their right to exist without fear.
It is my ethical duty to do no harm and to support the well-being, safety, and autonomy of all individuals, especially those who are being targeted and oppressed. Practically speaking, it means continuing to offer care to trans folx in my role as a psychologist, online sex therapist, and yoga therapist. I hold space for whatever my students, clients, and patients are feeling and support them however, they need – including having a healthy, satisfying sex life.
I mention that because there can be some real issues arising as a result of all these political attacks and one of the best things we can do is continue to cultivate joy and pleasure. Trans folx deserve safety, respect, and the right to live freely without fear. If you’re trans and interested in working together, reach out to me for an appointment. Or if you are a therapist who is struggling with knowing how to be present in the consulting room currently, please reach out for support.
And if you’re not trans but want to support the community, here are 25 ways cisgender allies can help trans folx – everything from continuing to share your pronouns (if that’s safe to do so) to joining a volunteer network. It may seem small but even small acts can make all the difference.