Conversion “Therapy” is not Therapy
Originally drafted in 2021.
Revised in January 2024.
In July of 2023, Michigan officially banned the discredited practice of "conversion therapy," becoming the 22nd US state to do this, marking a significant step in protecting LGBTQIA+ minors. I’m proud of our water-winter wonderland, but the work is not done. In over half of the states in our country, this harmful practice remains legal and is being actively employed on minors of America.
In this blog post, I will define “conversion therapy” and take a brief look at its history. Because the damaging effects of conversion therapy still pose a threat to our LGBTQIA+ youth, I will discuss why conversion therapy is not only ineffective, but deeply harmful, and how you can do something about it.
What is Conversion Therapy?
Conversion therapy, sometimes called “reparative therapy” or “sexual orientation change efforts” (SOCE), refers to any practice or treatment by a professional that seeks to change someone’s sexuality or gender identity. This practice can be utilized by licensed professionals, life-coaches, or unlicensed ministries. It affects the entire LGBTQIA+ population. Conversion therapy can take on many forms and be used in a variety of settings; all of them harmful.
Some professionals utilize “aversive conditioning” in an attempt to convert their clients. This would include adding a painful physical sensation as a result of one’s thoughts, feelings, and natural impulses regarding their sexuality or gender identity. The history of conversion therapy has included interventions such as ice-pick lobotomies, forced masturbation, genital castration, or use of electric shocks to sway an individual from the thoughts and feelings deemed faulty.
Conversion therapy, often disguised as traditional talk therapy, can take place in individual, group, or milieu settings. Practitioners may utilize techniques such as visualization, hypnosis, social skills training, or spiritual interventions like prayer to attempt to "cure" clients of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In group settings, peer pressure and public shaming may be employed. This harmful practice is frequently carried out under the guise of spiritual care, with individuals being subjected to "treatment" in the name of religion and love. Despite its varied forms, conversion therapy is universally detrimental.
It’s Not Old News
It was not until 1973 that homosexuality was removed as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Though it is no longer clinically labeled as a pathology (and never should have been), some professionals continue to falsely and unethically label any type of queerness to be a defect resulting directly from physical or sexual trauma as well as being “indoctrinated” by the LGBTQIA+ community itself.
Moreover, an unfounded belief persists that sexual orientation and gender identity can be forcibly altered. Notably, there is no research supporting such a notion.
While some may perceive the beliefs supporting conversion therapy as outdated, the harsh reality is that this harmful practice persists, legally sanctioned in numerous states. This ongoing acceptance poses a continuous threat to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth.
According to research conducted by theTrevor Project, in 2019, “2 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that someone tried to convince them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, with youth who have undergone conversion therapy more than twice as likely to attempt suicide as those who did not.”
Actual, Detrimental Harm
Research has consistently shown that conversion therapy not only fails to change one's sexual orientation or gender identity but also causes severe harm, especially to minors. Effects include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, drug use, self-harm, houselessness, and an increased risk of suicide. The SAMHSA report reveals alarming statistics, stating that those affected by conversion therapy are eight times more likely to attempt suicide.
“Those affected by conversion therapy are eight times more likely to attempt suicide, six times more likely to have high depression, three times more likely to use illegal drugs, and have three times the normal risk of HIV or STD infection. Many LGBTQIA+ minors are subjected to this practice against their will. It is estimated that nearly 700,000 individuals have gone through conversion therapy with nearly 350,000 being minors.”
Results from the SAMHSA report, as told by Conversion Therapy Dropout
Research shows that there is no valid reason to believe that someone's sexuality or gender can be changed against their will. This idea is not based on scientific evidence and has been rejected by many mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers. Experts have determined that attempts to change sexual orientation or gender identity are controlling, potentially harmful, and should not be a part of behavioral health treatment (SAMHSA, 2015).
Check out the research for yourself, all of which, in addition to the GR LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium, inspired me to write this blog. You can find articles here, here, and here.
What the World Needs Now
You may have heard of a book titled “The Inheritance of Shame: a memoir” by Peter Gajdics. Peter’s story profoundly influenced the banning of conversion therapy in Canada for both children and adults. Jared Dixon, a gay man and conversion therapy survivor, will also move you with his novel named “Corrupted: The Truth Shall Be the Nail in Your Coffin.” When Dixon is not writing, he works with Conversion Therapy (CT) Survivors, a non-profit support group that provides survivors a safe space to connect with other survivors and to heal from conversion therapy trauma.
Peter and Jared are just two out of a number of stories out there exposing the harm inflicted upon LGBTQIA+ folx in the name of therapy. Brave survivors are out there sharing their stories to raise awareness and encourage others to take a stand. You can find survivors speaking their truth on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
“When I came out to my parents, they found me a conversion therapist who told me transgender people were sick and belonged in mental hospitals. He forced me to throw away all my girl’s clothes as part of my treatment, but, having to dress as a male sent me into complete despair, hopelessness, and depression. Thankfully, one of my friends recognized the warning signs and called social services, which intervened and got me the housing and medical care I needed. It is always darkest before the dawn, but I’m living proof that a smart bystander can save a life.”
—Amy, as shared in Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth
If you've endured persistent messages, whether through words, violence, harassment, or coercion, suggesting that your identity, love, feelings, and desires are inherently wrong, you understand the challenge of maintaining a stable sense of well-being and healthy self-esteem. This difficulty intensifies, especially for minors, when the messenger is a professional, a trusted adult, or someone invoking the tenets of a cherished religion. The impact under these circumstances becomes considerably more severe.
As a mental health therapist, I understand that genuine healing from emotional pain doesn't come through self-hate or aggressive attempts to change one's identity, love, or life aspirations. Global mental health experts align on the idea that emotional well-being flourishes through self-acceptance, a sense of belonging, meaningful connections, and living authentically according to one's values.
Conversion therapy stands as an obstacle to the mental health improvement of LGBTQIA+ individuals and instead serves as a breeding ground for trauma. Originating not for the betterment of society, but to appease homophobic and transphobic sentiments, this practice contradicts the fundamental principle of doing no harm in our professional roles. The pressing question remains: why is this detrimental practice still legally endorsed in 28 states?
“This is not a matter of religion. This is a matter of putting an end to mental health malpractice.”
Quoted from Andy J. Johnson, Ph.D.’s letter advocating for the ban of conversion therapy
What You Can Do…
Contact the elected officials in your state and urge them to support legislation that will prohibit licensed mental health professionals from using “conversion therapy” or change efforts.
Click here to learn from the American Psychological Association and review proposed talking points on this issue as well as examples of professional letters that you can write to support the ban of conversion therapy.
Continue to educate yourself with credible research and facts.
Spread the word by sharing what you learn. Encourage folks to support ongoing efforts to increase and promote the well-being for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Challenge inaccurate information, harmful attitudes, and discriminatory beliefs held by others regarding the LGBTQIA+ population.
Support policies that end discriminatory practices in your community!
Are You a Conversion Therapy Survivor?
I am sorry for what you’ve had to endure. You are not alone.
There are resources for you. There are ethical, affirming, celebratory providers out there for you.
It’s understandable for you to doubt mental health providers and fear seeking help after what you’ve gone through. You deserve a provider you can genuinely trust, and it's crucial to remember that trust is something earned, not automatically given. Ethical, trauma-informed providers recognize this dynamic, committing to work at your pace and uphold your boundaries with the utmost respect.
Check out an inclusive directory called Therapy Den (it has amazing search criteria). Here you can search for therapists near you who are LGBTQIA+ Therapists, familiar with specific faiths, trauma-informed, are trans-competent, queer-competent, and more!
Connect with other survivors through nonprofits like Conversion Therapy (CT) Survivors or the Conversion Therapy Dropout Network.
“It is nearly impossible to describe walking into a therapist’s office after surviving conversion therapy. The problem is that we need help from a system we have only known to hurt us. Hearing that I would be okay and that my new therapist could help me learn to cope with the pain of my conversion therapy experience was like getting a second chance at life.”
— Sam, as shared in Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth
